My inspector dinged my for using a 15A circuit for the kitchen fridge even though it was a single outlet...."all circuits in a kitchen have to be 20A."
He is correct. 210.52(B)(1) says that the "two or more 20A small appliance branch circuits required by 210.11(C)(1) shall serve all wall and floor receptacle outlets covered by 210.52(A), all countertop outlets covered by 210.52(C), and receptacle outlets for refrigeration equipment."
So you can have a dedicated circuit for the refrigerator but it must be in addition to the two small appliance branch circuits required for the kitchen area, and it must be 20A. There is an exception for dedicated receptacles to serve specific equipment but it says "In addition to" not "Instead of" so it would not apply to refrigeration equipment.
Personally I think this is silly but I don't write the NEC.
So gauge is a problem but protection is not
210.12 covers arc fault protection for dwelling units and it states "ALL (bold) 120V single phase 15 and 20 ampere branch circuits supplying outlets or devices installed in dwelling unit kitchens, family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, laundry areas, or similar rooms or areas shall be protected by...."(lists acceptable methods of providing arc fault protection).
Notice that it doesn't say bathroom, garage, or outdoor receptacles so it doesn't create any increased need for the GFCI protected receptacles in those locations but it does say kitchens. I can tell you that there are a lot of kitchens even in new houses that are not wired with AFCI protection.
210.8 (A) Requires all receptacles in dwelling units that are in bathrooms, garages and accessory buildings, outdoors, crawl spaces, kitchen COUNTERTOP surfaces, near sinks, in boathouses, near bathtubs or shower stalls, or in laundry areas to be GFCI protected.
Technically, because of the way the code is worded, you are not allowed to put the kitchen refrigeration on its own dedicated circuit AND all of the receps in the kitchen are supposed to be arc fault protected AND the countertop receptacles must also be GFCI protected with a "readily accessible" GFCI device.
So the receptacle behind the refrigerator in the kitchen should be AFCI protected but not GFCI protected and must be 20 amps, while the same refrigerator in the garage should be GFCI protected but not AFCI protected and can be 15 amps. It makes no sense.
Keep in mind that inspectors are often not what you would call an industry professional, and especially in small municipalities where they are likely inspecting multiple different trades there will be a hard limit to their knowledge. Even in cities where they specialize more, there is a better than good chance they have zero industry specific experience before becoming an inspector and they are constantly educating. Code knowledge varies widely amongst even licensed journeyman electricians and inspectors are no different.
And some inspectors go off on personal crusades and power trips. These are the worst and must be handled very carefully.
. I should put an alarm on it)
