Crossman, is there a body count for washing machine GFCI protection? Seems like a washing machine isn't subject to the weather and other abuse that a vending machine is.
Didn't find any bodies around the washing machine...
Related note: There was an incident a few years ago of a fatality with a drinking fountain. Box for receptacle feeding the fountain was nonmetallic, the equipment grounding conductor was not attached to the receptacle (non-GFCI). The fountain was fed by PVC plumbing and the walls were 2x4 with sheetrock covering... equals fountain not grounded (bonded). A wire nut in the fountain itself (factory installed) came off, the hot wire contacted the metal housing and it became energized. Not sure on the exact circumstance, but a child was electrocuted. (don't know how the circuit was completed through the child... wet floor and bare feet?)
Of course there were tons of law suits. It is my understanding that there were even criminal charges of negligence on the EC and the electrician who was responsible for the installation. Don't know the outcome and don't quote me on any of this, it is simply something I remember reading back when I was researching for a 1999 Code Changes presentation.
I personally have not seen many instances of nuisance tripping of GFCIs. I suppose this is the reason I am in favor of them for protection of people.
