Dedicated Circuits

Status
Not open for further replies.
M

mherrera202

Member
Location
Anchorage alaska
existing dwelling units are being renovated the contractor found out there is no dedicated circuit for the washing machine. NEC 2005 requires a dedicated circuit inside laundry.
Do we need a dedicated circuit for the washing machine?
 
210.11(C)(2) requires a dedicated 20 amp branch circuit for receptacle outlets in the laundry area. This circuit is not dedicated for only the washing machine, all receptacle outlets installed in the laundry area can be on the laundry circuit.

Chris
 
It depends on what you mean by "renovation". If you are completely rewiring the house, then it will need to be brought up to code. Are you adding a "laundry area"? Then you will need a laundry circuit. Some local codes require you to bring everything up to code once a certain level of work is done in the house, but that is not the NEC. You will probably need to talk with the AHJ to determine exactly what will be required in your area with the level of renovation that you are performing. With AFCI's, Smoke Detectors, GFCI's, small appliance circuits, etc. it seems that whether or not a laundry circuit is required would be the least of your concerns.
 
The required 20a laundry circuit didn't hit the Codebook until 1999. Maybe the existing wiring was installed prior to acceptance of that edition.
 
480sparky said:
The required 20a laundry circuit didn't hit the Codebook until 1999. Maybe the existing wiring was installed prior to acceptance of that edition.
Click to expand...

My '96 has it. That's the earliest I still have, and I seem to recall it in '93 as well.
 
How much existing electrical wiring needs brought up to current code during rennovation, and exactly how much rennovation triggers that event, is normally in accordance with local rules. Some are quite strict, and some are very generous. You really need to check with whoever issued the building permits for that job.
 
I stand corrected. The laundry circuit is in 220, not 210. It first shows up in 1975. Prior to that, 1500 watts was required in the service calculation.
 
Last edited:
You have a 1975 code book? As insane as this might sound i'd love to see a1975 code book. I started in this trade in 1985 and i remenber always having to have a dedicated 20I ckt to the laundry room. Does it have the first GFCI requirements?
 
Karl H said:
You have a 1975 code book? As insane as this might sound i'd love to see a1975 code book. I started in this trade in 1985 and i remenber always having to have a dedicated 20I ckt to the laundry room. Does it have the first GFCI requirements?
Click to expand...

My collection is complete back to 1940.

Does that make me insane?:-? :-? :-?
 
You've been in the trade 67 years? Or an avid collector? 1940 ampacity tables for barbed wire in 310-16 or in chpt 9? lol I'd love to see the cover!That must be a rare find.
 
Karl H said:
You have a 1975 code book? As insane as this might sound i'd love to see a1975 code book. I started in this trade in 1985 and i remenber always having to have a dedicated 20I ckt to the laundry room. Does it have the first GFCI requirements?
Click to expand...

Your wish is my command:

codebookcollection.jpg


From the 1971 Code: 210-22(9)(d);

gfi1971.jpg



Karl H said:
You've been in the trade 67 years? Or an avid collector? 1940 ampacity tables for barbed wire in 310-16 or in chpt 9? lol I'd love to see the cover!That must be a rare find.
Click to expand...


Collector. I've only been doing electrical since 1993. Ampacity table in 1940 is in Chapter 10, though.

1940.jpg
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top