Dishwasher Connection Sec 422

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Bob Moran

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Code item states dishwasher cord to be 3 to 4 feet in length as measured from the plug face to the rear plane of the D.W. This is very confusing as it does not specifically say what the total length of the cord may be. Electricians tell me they always use a 6 ft cord.

An engineer from the D.W. mfg stated that the cord used was a code violation and as an engineer I should be able to figure it out.

Comments please.
 
A 6 foot cord would be acceptable as long as you have no more than 4 feet from the back plane of the dishwasher to the face of the attachment plug. Using a 6 foot cord this would leave 2 to 3 feet of cord under the appliance and still meet 422.16(B)(2)(2).

JMHO,

Chris
 
Bob Moran said:
An engineer from the D.W. mfg stated that the cord used was a code violation
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What do the "D.W. mfg" 's installation instructions include for that particular machine you are asking about?

If the manufacturer's instructions included with a machine say "no cord" then it's "no cord". . .IMO.

Now 422.16(B)(2)(2) only tells us that the length of the cord from the receptacle to the back plane of the DW is to be 3 to 4 feet. That tells me where to put the receptacle outlet relative to the DW compartment.

422.16(B)(2)(2) doesn't say a thing about the length of the cord in the mechanical space under the DW. Nothing in the NEC stops me from putting excess cord in a coil in that mechanical space. . .say 25 feet.
 
The installation manual shows the cord to be routed beside the D.W. in the same space as the water supply hose or pipe. It only shows the cord to the wall so its not helpfull in any respect except where they suggest it runs. The conn box for the DW is on the right front at the bottom.The unit did not have a cord furnished which I understand is usually the case.

Thanks for your interest.
 
Charlie (cpal) posted the following back in November here

The red highlight is my emphasis:
UL Standard UL-749
UL 749
Household Dishwashers

7.3 Installation instructions

7.3.1A Where the installation instructions for a built-in dishwasher specifies that the appliance is able to be connected by means of a power-supply cord not already attached to the appliance by the manufacturer, the instructions shall specify that a power-supply cord kit marked for use with dishwashers shall be used. The cord kit shall comply with Clause 25.2A. The part or model number of the power-supply cord kit shall be included in the appliance installation instructions.

7.3.2 The installation instructions provided with a cord-connected undercounter appliance shall include the following instructions or equivalent information:

a) the power-supply receptacle for the appliance shall be installed in a cabinet or on a wall adjacent to the undercounter space in which the appliance is to be installed;
b) there shall be an opening through the partition between the compartments specified in (a) that is large enough for the attachment plug to pass through. The longest dimension of the opening shall not be more than 38 mm;
c) the edges of the opening specified in (b) shall, if the partition is wood, be smooth and rounded, or, if the partition is metal, be covered with an edge protector provided for this purpose by the manufacturer; and
d) care shall be exercised, when the appliance is installed or removed, to reduce the likelihood of damage to the power-supply cord.

25.2 Cord-connected appliances

25.2.1 The power-supply cord of an appliance provided with a means for grounding shall include an equipment-bonding conductor and shall terminate in a grounding-type attachment plug.

25.2.4 For a cord-connected built-in appliance:
a) the flexible cord shall be Type S, SJT, SPT-3, or the equivalent; and
b) the length of the flexible cord shall be 0.9 – 1.2 m, measured from the face of the attachment plug to the plane of the rear of the appliance.

25.2.5 The power-supply cord shall be attached permanently to the appliance or shall be in the form of a separate cord supplied as part of a power-supply cord kit with means for connection to the appliance. The power-supply cord kit shall comply with Clause 25.2A.

25.2.6 The ampacity of the cord and the current rating of the fittings shall not be less than the current rating of the appliance. For an appliance rated more than 15 A, the current rating of the attachment plug shall not be less than 125% of the current rating of the appliance. A 20 A plug shall be acceptable for an appliance rated not more than 4000 W at 240 V. The attachment plug shall be acceptable for use at a voltage equal to the rated voltage of the appliance.

25.2A Power-supply cord kits for use with undercounter or built-in dishwashers

25.2A.1 A power-supply cord kit intended for the installation of an undercounter or built-in dishwasher shall include the following:

a) power-supp ly cord, strain-relief means, and push-back relief that complies with Clause 25.2;
b) a part or model number marked on the power-supply cord kit package, or in the kit installation instructions;
c) installation instructions; and
d) grounding instructions in accordance with Clause 7.2.2.4(a).
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Following the UL, cord and plug connecting dishwashers is essentialy a no no. I have yet to see one that specs what model cord to use nor have I seen a cord that is labeled for use on a dishwasher. :rolleyes: I guess I will merrily continue on my violation spree.
 
Al I thank you for posting that, I was heading for it as I was reading this thread.


cpal said:
Ul standards tend to sneak up on us
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Yeah that they do.

Particularly when they are absolutely without a doubt in my mind ridiculous.

It boggles my mind that I can wire an entire structure but UL does not feel I am qualified to purchase or make a suitable cord for a DW. The cord will run to a box with a connector and from that point becomes open wiring enclosed only by the floor and wall.

To me this is the most absurd thing I have seen from UL.

It's nuts.:mad:

Or yeah, my Leviton cord will really cause a problem on a GE DW. :roll:

Can I have a show of hands from inspectors?

Who would fail a DW install just because a GE cord was used on a Kitchen Aid DW? (Lets assume the correct AWG was used)
 
LOL :roll:
iwire said:
It's nuts.:mad:
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I absolutely agree with you.

I can imagine the AHJ expecting the dishwasher instructions posted with the job site record so s/he can verify the part number on the visible cord under the sink. . .

Not likely.
 
electricmanscott said:
I have yet to see one that specs what model cord to use nor have I seen a cord that is labeled for use on a dishwasher. :rolleyes: I guess I will merrily continue on my violation spree.
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You can't claim ignorance and expect us to let you get away with it. ;)

A few months back, the question of "what model cord to use" was poised to the forum. My initial thought was: "No way is each and every manufac. going to spec a specidfic cord for their DWs!". So I checked a few different specs from a few different manufacs., guess what? Each and every unit DOES contain a specified cord set for use.

You can chose to:
a) believe me
b) conduct your own fact finding mission

In either case, ignorance is not a choice :)

As the manufac.'s spec the cord set to use, the debate over the length of the cord becomes irrelevant.
 
I have seen 2 basic hookups for dishwashers lately. Some of the higher end come with a cord on them but must be plugged in to a receptacle in the cabinet either to the right or left of the dishwasher. The other kind is the direct wire style. Here is what I do-- I put a jb box under the sink next to the dishwasher and then I run a tail of nm cable to the dishwasher. If the dw comes with a cord I disconnect the tail under the dishwasher and put a receptacle in the jb. If the dishwasher is a direct wire style then I put a switch in the jb under the sink and wire the NM tail to the unit. Saves a lot of guess work and rework.
 
The only time it will matter is when the dishwasher starts the house on fire and regardless of the reason for the fire the mfg. lawyers will point to the cord you supplied , that some other lawyer took the time to protect them from.:grin: :D it is a silly world but it ain't always funny.
 
electricmanscott said:
I have yet to see one that specs what model cord to use nor have I seen a cord that is labeled for use on a dishwasher. I guess I will merrily continue on my violation spree.
celtic said:
You can't claim ignorance and expect us to let you get away with it.
electricmanscott said:
About what
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Well, for right now...the DW cords.

What else would you like to discuss?
;)
 
electricmanscott said:
Liberal bias in the media fact or fiction...go ;) :D

Moderator: Delete post now
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I don't think Mike Holt has enough bandwidth for that :D :D

Might as well kill this post too
 
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