Final answer:
A minimum of two 20-amp circuits are required for kitchen and similar area outlets, with safety limits for continuous use being 80% of the circuit's capacity. Electrical appliances have different ampere needs, which is why specific circuits and breakers are designed to handle varying currents safely.
Step-by-step explanation:
A minimum of two 20-ampere-rated branch circuits shall be provided to serve all wall and floor receptacle outlets located in the kitchen, pantry, breakfast area, dining area, or similar area of a dwelling. This requirement is based on the fact that most electrical appliances are rated in amperes (or amps) required for proper operation, and similarly, fuses and circuit breakers are also rated in amps. Each 20-amp circuit breaker has a safety regulation limit for continuous use to 80% of its capacity, which translates into 1,920 watts of power that can be safely used.
For example, if you have an 1800-W toaster and a 1400-W electric frying pan plugged into the same circuit, they draw significantly different currents. An 1800-W toaster draws 15 amps when used on a 120-volt circuit, putting it at the maximum capacity for a 15-amp breaker, whereas a 1400-W frying pan would draw approximately 11.67 amps on the same voltage. Therefore, it's evident that different appliances require different amounts of current, and this is why specific electrical circuits and breakers are designed to accommodate the varying needs of household appliances.