Kitchen wiring

[ctiffany]

Do I have to use 12-3 cable from main panel or can I run 2 or more 12-2 from main breaker box for my receptacles in kitchen? Do I have to have any 12-3 in kitchen and if so, how do I wire that area. Can I use 14-2 as power source from main for all lighting in kitchen? When the code book says I must have 2 separate circuits for the kitchen, but I can bring the power from main panel with one 12-3 cable, how does this become 2 separate circuits? What is best advice for this DIY'er? Thanks much, I'm ready to do my kitchen.

[househelper]

Are you in the US or Canada?

[ctiffany]

Wisconsin is the state

[househelper]

There is no need to use 12/3, and for a DIYer, I would advise against it. Use two or more runs of 12/2 for your kitchen circuits.

It is OK (unless local codes say otherwise) to use 14/2 for lighting circuits. Many (myself included) prefer to use 14ga wire for lighting circuits because it makes wiring multigang switch boxes MUCH easier.

[AllanJ]

You can run 12-3 from the panel to a junction box and from there run two 12-2's. Counter outlets in the kitchen need GFCI protection. If this junction box is large enough, the first GFCI receptacle, also protecting additional outlets on one of the continuing 12-2's, can be there.

12-3 cannot daisy chain through the various kitchen counter outlet boxes unless there are individual GFCI receptacles in each box, or unless protected by a 2-gang GFCI breaker down at the panel.