mjf
Senior Member
Is a receptacle installed behind a dishwasher considered accessible?
accessable, yes. Readily accessable, no.Is a receptacle installed behind a dishwasher considered accessible?
I would be curious as to how you propose to plug it back in. :roll:Personally, I like the idea of a cord that comes unplugged if you pull the dishwasher out too far for cleaning- but that's another discussion entirely.
I have never done it that way simply because it defeats the purpose, IMO. How can you unplug the unit to work on it if it is behind the unit. even at floor level it would be difficult.
By definition, accessible. But I agree with Dennis from a practical standpoint it makes no sense if it's being used a disconnect.
Not accessible according to the definition:
"Accessible (as applied to equipment). Admitting close approach; not guarded by locked doors, elevation, or other
effective means"
The equipment (device/receptacle) is guarded by other effective means (dishwasher).
422.33 Disconnection of Cord-and-Plug-Connected Appliances.
(A) Separable Connector or an Attachment Plug and
Receptacle. For cord-and-plug-connected appliances, an
accessible separable connector or an accessible plug and
receptacle shall be permitted to serve as the disconnecting
means. Where the separable connector or plug and receptacle
are not accessible, cord-and-plug-connected appliances
shall be provided with disconnecting means in accordance
with 422.31.
(B) Connection at the Rear Base of a Range. For cordand-
plug-connected household electric ranges, an attachment
plug and receptacle connection at the rear base of a
range, if it is accessible from the front by removal of a
drawer, shall be considered as meeting the intent of
422.33(A).
A dishwasher has a panel that can be removed, somewhat like a drawer, and one can access the cord and receptacle. I have done this many times.IMO if the recptacle is litterally behind the dishwasher it is not accptable to use it as the required disconnecting means.
IMO the fact the CMP felt the need to put the 'drawer section' for ranges shows that a receptacle behind an appliance is not accessible per definition.
A dishwasher has a panel that can be removed, somewhat like a drawer, and one can access the cord and receptacle. I have done this many times.
The drawer in the range, when removed, leaves a cavity in the bottom of the range that is un-encumbered by relays, motor, valves, hoses, wiring, etc. . . . basically an open cavity to the wall behind the range, and the NEC says the cord and plug back there are accessible.A dishwasher has a panel that can be removed, somewhat like a drawer, and one can access the cord and receptacle. I have done this many times.
But, as a permissive Code, the Code is silent about the dishwasher in the negative, as well.Yes it does, but that dishwasher has no code section that says the removable panel qualifies as the range drawer does.
But, as a permissive Code, the Code is silent about the dishwasher in the negative, as well.
I submit that the CMP's need to change, and accomplished 2011 NEC change, to 310.4 by adding 310.4(H), and related alterations, is prima facie evidence that paralleling conductors smaller than 1/0 wasn't prohibited.Consider how 'parallel conductors under 1/0 had been prohibited up until the 2011 NEC
This just supports my point, IMO, about a cord and plug that an arm can reach through a dishwasher toe kick is accessible.2011 NEC 310.4(H)
. . . only in sizes 1/0 AWG and larger . . .
This just supports my point, IMO, about a cord and plug that an arm can reach through a dishwasher toe kick is accessible.
:grin:The last dishwasher I installed you couldn't fit your fingers under the unit so forget about your arm. I had to use a 1/8" snake just to get the cord in. :roll:
Possible, but not probable.