Bushing for dishwasher power cord???

[doc12]

My local inspector barely passed my kitchen remodel. He said he could have failed me due to not having some sort of bushing in the cabinet wall between the sink base cabinet and the dishwasher. I said I have never heard of such an item. He suggested using a metal stud bushing in the cabinet wall and to run the power cord through that by itself.
I did not ask the article he was referring too.
The manufacturer tells you to make one hole for the drain, water supply, and the power cord. What is this inspector talking about? Did I miss a meeting somewhere??

Thanks in advance.

 

[tom baker]

Not required. Gently ask inspector for reference code
But if you would rather just get on with the job, a nipple and two NM bushings would do the job, or a metal stud bushing (but is the metal stud bushing listed for metal studs only...just saying)

 

[infinity]

I agree not required. The dishwasher will die long before the cord is ever damaged. No one should be failed for something so trivial.

 

[doc12]

I found it in the code under

422.16(B)(2) Built-in Dishwashers and Trash Compactors.​

a bushing or grommet is to be used at the point where a flexible cord for a dishwasher passes through an opening such as a kitchen cabinet.
On this website as well:

422.16(B)(2) Built-in Dishwashers and Trash Compactors.

This is a code violation in the 2020 NEC without a bushing or grommet where the dishwasher cord passes through the cabinet.

www.electricallicenserenewal.com

Wow! Do these inspectors just look for ways to fail us when they go to their code updates? In my 40 years doing this, I have NEVER seen a damaged cord due to a wooden cabinet. Also, before code changes are in the book, don't you think a listed product should be available first instead of coming up with a made up solution!! Geez guys, give us a break.

T

 

[jim dungar]

I agree not required. The dishwasher will die long before the cord is ever damaged. No one should be failed for something so trivial.

The NEC allows for 'other approved means', so the AHJ could say wooden cabinet openings do not need grommets but metal ones do.

 

[infinity]

I found it in the code under

422.16(B)(2) Built-in Dishwashers and Trash Compactors.​

a bushing or grommet is to be used at the point where a flexible cord for a dishwasher passes through an opening such as a kitchen cabinet.
On this website as well:

422.16(B)(2) Built-in Dishwashers and Trash Compactors.

This is a code violation in the 2020 NEC without a bushing or grommet where the dishwasher cord passes through the cabinet.

www.electricallicenserenewal.com

Wow! Do these inspectors just look for ways to fail us when they go to their code updates? In my 40 years doing this, I have NEVER seen a damaged cord due to a wooden cabinet. Also, before code changes are in the book, don't you think a listed product should be available first instead of coming up with a made up solution!! Geez guys, give us a break.

T

Are you under the 2020 NEC? My initial response was for the 2017, the 2020 has a new requirement which like much of the new code changes have little to no substantiation.

 

[doc12]

In the 2020 code handbook, its actually under 422.16 (B), (2) built in dishwashers and trash compactors, (5) Where the flexible cord passes through an "opening", it shall be protected by bushing, grommet, or other approved means.

 

[infinity]

In the 2020 code handbook, its actually under 422.16 (B), (2) built in dishwashers and trash compactors, (5) Where the flexible cord passes through an "opening", it shall be protected by bushing, grommet, or other approved means.

Are you saying that a bored hole through the wall of the cabinet is not an opening?

 

[doc12]

I do not disagree that a bored hole IS an opening. What I am simply saying is I have NEVER seen a wood cabinet cut a cord. AND there is no "technically approved or listed" product made that I know of for this application. For the inspector to tell me to use a metal stud bushing is wrong as it NOT for that purpose.

 

[infinity]

I do not disagree that a bored hole IS an opening. What I am simply saying is I have NEVER seen a wood cabinet cut a cord. AND there is no "technically approved or listed" product made that I know of for this application. For the inspector to tell me to use a metal stud bushing is wrong as it NOT for that purpose.

I agree it's bogus. I guess that you could use something like this:

 

[Dennis Alwon]

If the hole is drilled where the side of the cabinets meets the bottom then there is no real issue, IMO. Of course that is where the plumbers usually drill and we use the same hole

 

[don_resqcapt19]

I do not disagree that a bored hole IS an opening. What I am simply saying is I have NEVER seen a wood cabinet cut a cord. AND there is no "technically approved or listed" product made that I know of for this application. For the inspector to tell me to use a metal stud bushing is wrong as it NOT for that purpose.

There are plenty of grommet protective devices made for desk tops that will provide the protection that the AHJ is asking for. A chase nipple with a bushing on the threaded end would work fine....assuming that the treads are long enough to pass through the cabinet wall.

I see Rob posted the cabinet type grommet.

 

[texie]

I've been waiting for someone to mention this. So the plumber goes first and leaves you a nice clean hole that he ran his drain and supply line thru and was kind enough to leave it large enough for you to pass the power cord through. Now you have to drill another large hole simply so your hole can have a bushing. Stupid, wasteful of time and ugly to boot. How do they think this crap up? Talk about out of control...

 

[curt swartz]

I can see requiring protection if the cabinets were metal. I would actually be more worried about the water supply and drain hoses getting damaged since they tend to move when water is flowing. With wood cabinets I think the cord has a higher chance of being damaged from stuff stored in the sink cabinet than from the sidewall of the cabinet.

 

[infinity]

Maybe someone can post the PI that got this into the NEC.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Maybe someone can post the PI that got this into the NEC.

Here is the committee statement on that issue

Routing of a flexible cord to an adjacent space often requires that the cord pass through an opening, such as in a base-cabinet. Rough openings can cause damage to the cord during installation or servicing so requiring additional protection, in the form of a bushing, grommet or other approved means, mitigates that risk. Section 422.16(B)(2) requires the attachment plug to be of the grounding-type but it an equipment grounding conductor is only inferred. This is clarified in FiR 8282 by including “have an equipment grounding conductor” in the requirement.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Btw that was submitted by the NEC CMP 17 which oversees art 422.... Of course they are going to pass their own input

 

[doc12]

Thanks Dennis for the detailed info. Guess this is one of those thing we got to do.

 

[hbiss]

a bushing or grommet is to be used at the point where a flexible cord for a dishwasher passes through an opening such as a kitchen cabinet.

How about requiring a bushing or grommet when romex passes through a hole in a wood stud...
How about when the cord for a microwave passes through the bottom of a cabinet above it to the receptacle inside...

Inquiring minds want to know why they always pick in dishwashers.

-Hal

 

[GoldDigger]

How about requiring a bushing or grommet when romex passes through a hole in a wood stud...
How about when the cord for a microwave passes through the bottom of a cabinet above it to the receptacle inside...

Inquiring minds want to know why they always pick in dishwashers.

-Hal

That stud hole thing makes a lot of sense. I am going to make a two piece long bushing and submit a PI for it.

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