Grounding new washer in old home

[Will Wire]

I have a customer who has a new washing machine with a three prong plug. The house was built in 1955 with no ground. It used to be allowed to run a ground wire from the cold water pipe to the washer housing. Is this still alloewed? My other idea was to put a gfci receptacle for the washing machine but I have been told that the moter load can cause nuisance tripping. The washing machine manufacturer says to plug into a properly grounded receptacle. Do I have any options or do I have to install a properly grounded receptacle? Thank you.

 

[M. D.]

I don't think you are allowed to use the water pipe any longer ,after 5' no bonding is required ,not sure when that happened ,...sometime in the eighties maybe?? I'll look for it .

there are millions of washeres on Gfci protected circuits , there is no reason for the motor to trip the GFCI

 

[iwire]

You are allowed to use a GFCI on a non grounded circuit and the washing machine will run fine on it.

However 250.114 prohibits supplying a washing machine without a EGC regardless of the GFCI.

You either have to run a new circuit or run an EGC basically back to the panel.

 

[M. D.]

Hey Bob I guess that is why they supply those little stickers ,...so people won't plug in all those things listed ..... only most electricians don't apply the stickers and most folks who plug in the washer are not electricians.

I also used some piss poor language ,...of course metal piping systems require bonding the requirement that the system be electrically continuous was removed .. Click here and read all, and I do mean all, about it ,.... one of the best to be sure!

 

[iwire]

Hey Bob I guess that is why they supply those little stickers ,...so people won't plug in all those things listed .....

Yeah that will work. :grin:

I am not picking on you, just that particular NEC situation.

Like homeowners know what 250.114 says.