I’m adding a new electrical line to a very old laundry room. One 20amp. outlet for the Washer/dryer. Lights are on original line.
I know this has to be a 20 amp. line but does it need a GFCI, since the room has water and a sink?
Edited 11/9/2005 3:37 pm ET by hammer
Replies
Does not have to be a GFCI. Unless it is too close to sink. An expert should chime in with this distance.
You get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.
Marv
Here is what I have heard for NJ.
Dedicated laundry circuit - sounds like you have that one covered.
w/out sink no GFCI req'd
w/sink within 6' of outlet GFCI req
......it's a $12.00 question......when in doubt....go the safe route.
Run the 12/2 feed to the washer outlet first, install a single receptacle for the dishwasher, then run the same 12/2 to the sink location and install the GFI receptacle at the sink.
I have my washer and dryer on a GFCI. It did false trip once and leave the washer in mid-cycle. That was a long time ago, I never found out why. So, try it with the GFCI ahead of everything. Route the wires so you can change it easily if you have to.
-- J.S.
it doesnt have to be a gfi because most times its behind the washer, not something you would plug in and out. Here how dumb our inspector are. They would only allow one receptacle in the room, no matter how many circuits was avalable. He made me take one out.
A dedicated washer outlet does not need GFCI but...
In any room you will eventually want/need to plug in something else, so, to be safe and satisfy the inspector and code, I would install a single - NOT a duplex - outlet behind the washer and then continue downstream from that to another receptacle, this one being a GFCI.
Keep in mind that the rules could have changed since the last time I had this scenerio (last year).
2005 NEC 210.8 (A) (7)
Laundry, utility, and wet bar sinks-- where the receptacles are installed within 1.8m (6 ft) of the outside edge of the sink.
This is a change from the 2002 NEC. Unlike basements and garage locations there are no exceptions for anything located within the 6 ft.
Now there is a chance that your inspector may let you fly with a simplex receptacle vice a standard duplex.
Dumb Q - isn't a (modern) dryer outlet normally a 4 prong 220v 30A?
Would it even possible to GFCI that? Sounds like a $120 breaker to me...
"Dumb Q - isn't a (modern) dryer outlet normally a 4 prong 220v 30A?"NO!, Not it is for a gas dryer. <G>"Would it even possible to GFCI that? Sounds like a $120 breaker to me.."NOte, that the requirement for GFCI protect on receptacles is ONLY for 120 v receptacles.
Thanks for all the information... I'll install a duplex to the washer and dryer ,7' from the sink. The note about the washer cutting out on a GFCI. I have seen this with any appliance with a motor. Why air compressors don't always work on GFCI.
I'll continue the line to a second outlet with a GFCI. This will be closer to the sink and also service a built-in ironing board.
By the way the dryer is a GAS one.
Thanks again.
Edited 11/10/2005 10:45 am ET by hammer