Are kitchen split receptacles still required in Ottawa?

Split receptacles in kitchens are no longer mandatory under the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, but the underlying requirement for two small appliance circuits in the kitchen remains — and how you meet that requirement has changed.

For many years, the standard approach was to install split receptacles (duplex outlets where the top and bottom plugs are on separate circuits) to satisfy the two-circuit requirement for kitchen countertop receptacles. This allowed two circuits to share a single outlet location. The OESC still requires that kitchen countertop receptacles be served by a minimum of two 20A small appliance circuits, but the code no longer mandates that these be achieved specifically through split (multiwire branch circuit) receptacles.

In practice, many electricians in Ottawa now run two separate 20A circuits to the kitchen and install standard duplex receptacles on each, rather than using split receptacles wired as a multiwire branch circuit (MWBC). Both approaches are acceptable, provided the circuits are properly installed. If split receptacles and MWBCs are used, the Ontario Electrical Safety Code requires a two-pole breaker (or handle-tied breakers) so both legs trip together — this is a critical safety requirement that older installations sometimes got wrong.

From an ESA inspection standpoint, what matters is that your kitchen has adequate countertop circuit coverage: receptacles must be positioned so no point along the countertop is more than 900mm from an outlet, and all countertop receptacles must be GFCI protected (Rule 26-700). The method used to deliver the two circuits is secondary to meeting those coverage and protection requirements.

For renovations and new construction in Ottawa, your licensed electrician will typically design the kitchen circuit layout based on your specific countertop configuration, appliance load, and panel capacity. If you're doing a kitchen reno, this is also a good time to confirm your panel can handle the load — older 100A panels in Ottawa homes can run tight with modern kitchen appliances.

If you're planning a kitchen renovation or just want to confirm your existing wiring meets current ESA standards, Electrical Ottawa offers free consultations. It's worth having a licensed electrician verify your kitchen circuits, especially in homes built before the mid-2000s where wiring practices varied considerably.