My question concerns the correct type of circuit breaker to use with electric hand dryers in school bathrooms. When a hand dryer is within 6 feet of a sink or even in the sink area is it required to be protected by a GFI circuit breaker? I work in maintenance at a local school district and have seen after engineered building renovations over the past several years were some buildings have GFI circuit breakers and some have standard circuit breakers.
Electric hand dryers in school bathrooms
- Thread starter dime
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ryan_618
Senior Member
- Location
- Salt Lake City, Utah
Re: Electric hand dryers in school bathrooms
If it is a 125 volt, 15 or 20 amp receptacle it must be GFCI. If not, it is not required to be GFCI.
If it is a 125 volt, 15 or 20 amp receptacle it must be GFCI. If not, it is not required to be GFCI.
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: Electric hand dryers in school bathrooms
I believe dime's question is about wall mounted electric hand dryers they are usually (always) hardwired.
110.12 What Ryan is getting at is that if the item is hardwired or happens to be 208-240 no GFCI protection is required.
I believe dime's question is about wall mounted electric hand dryers they are usually (always) hardwired.
Re: Electric hand dryers in school bathrooms
Sorry, for not suppling more details about these hand dryers. We have three schools all with wall mounted hand dryers. These dryers are 2300 watt/120vac units direct wired to the panel with #10 THHN. One school has 20 amp GFI circuit breakers another school has 20 amp standard circuit breakers and the third school has 30 amp standard circuit breakers. If any of these dryers are within six feet of a sink are they required to be protected by a GFI circuit breaker?
Sorry, for not suppling more details about these hand dryers. We have three schools all with wall mounted hand dryers. These dryers are 2300 watt/120vac units direct wired to the panel with #10 THHN. One school has 20 amp GFI circuit breakers another school has 20 amp standard circuit breakers and the third school has 30 amp standard circuit breakers. If any of these dryers are within six feet of a sink are they required to be protected by a GFI circuit breaker?
Re: Electric hand dryers in school bathrooms
If they are cord and plug connected and on a 20 amp breaker, yes. And it doesn't matter how close to the sink they are. See 210.8(B)(1). If they're on a 30 amp breaker, no. But are the receptacle and the dryer suitable for 30 amp circuits?
If they are hard wired, no. See Ryan's answer.
If they are cord and plug connected and on a 20 amp breaker, yes. And it doesn't matter how close to the sink they are. See 210.8(B)(1). If they're on a 30 amp breaker, no. But are the receptacle and the dryer suitable for 30 amp circuits?
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