How many kitchens can two 20-ampere small appliance circuits supply in a dwelling?

In residential electrical installations, the National Electrical Code (NEC) provides guidelines for the design and installation of small appliance circuits. Specifically, it states that a dwelling unit must have no fewer than two separate 20-ampere small appliance circuits to serve the kitchen area. These circuits are specifically designed to supply power to receptacles that serve countertop surfaces and any appliances that may be located within the kitchen.

The guideline emphasizes that these two circuits are intended to adequately support the electrical demands typically found in one kitchen rather than multiple kitchens. The rationale behind this requirement is to ensure that the electrical provision is robust enough to handle the simultaneous use of multiple appliances without overloading the circuits.

Therefore, the conclusion is that two 20-ampere small appliance circuits can adequately supply only one kitchen. Circuits are not designed to cater to the electrical loads of multiple kitchens, which could lead to potential overloads and safety issues. Hence, the understanding that no more than one kitchen can be supplied by these two circuits is crucial for compliance with electrical code standards and for ensuring safety in residential electrical installations.