We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Electrical

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Dedicated Circuit?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 44,490
Share

The term “dedicated circuit” is used in several different ways. Most commonly, it is used in reference to a phone or data line, or to an electrical circuit. In both cases, the idea is that it is a circuit set aside for a specific purpose, often with the implication that the use is either sensitive in nature or highly demanding, making it necessary to isolate the circuit used. Such circuits require some extra attention and care during the installation phase so that they are installed properly given the use they are intended for.

In electrical wiring, a dedicated circuit is set up with its own circuit breaker and intended for a single use. In some cases, a receptacle may be wired to it so that it can be connected to an appliance such as a stove or a refrigerator. In other cases, an appliance can be wired directly into the circuit, as is commonly seen with electrical water heaters.

This type of circuit is designed to ensure that it will not be overloaded by the appliance that draws power from it. Electrical appliances can use a great deal of energy, and running multiple appliances on the same circuit or loading several smaller items onto a circuit used to power an appliance can be dangerous. For example, if a stove and a hair dryer are powered on the same circuit, the circuit will probably blow because of the high energy demand. By dedicating a circuit, the supply of power will not be interrupted and operating conditions will remain safe.

Phone companies use dedicated circuits, also known as leased lines, to provide a direct hard connection for a specific purpose. Leased lines are often used for data lines, and some boast very high transfer rates because they are not used for anything else. This type of circuit can also be used for a phone line. It may be structured into the design of a phone exchange, or established in the form of a direct wired connection between two points.

This type of dedicated circuit can be quite costly for consumers, as it is costly for the phone company to operate. As a result, they are primarily used by large businesses, research facilities, and institutions that need secure or dedicated lines to operate. It is also possible to have multiple leased lines, as several may be needed for a large institution handling a very heavy load.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a About Mechanics researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
By Kat919 — On Jun 17, 2011

@rugbygirl - I don't know for sure, but I think the idea is that if your house is struck by lightning, only the main circuit will be affected and the kitchen appliances will be spared. Lightning, I understand, can destroy electrical equipment. But I'm not totally sure. I'm not an electrical expert--I could probably just manage to replace an electrical outlet if I tried hard enough!

By rugbygirl — On Jun 16, 2011

I feel like I've heard that residential electrical wiring includes a dedicated circuit for the kitchen, maybe, in case the house gets struck by lightning. But I don't know what a separate circuit would have to do with that.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-is-a-dedicated-circuit.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.