Laundry Circuit, Gen. Purpose Receptacles

[Jerramundi]

I'm just revisiting the requirements for the Laundry Room in what I will refer to as a Single Family Dwelling for simplicity.

In the past, the way I've always done it, and seen it done, is (1) Dedicated 20A Circuit for (1) (15/20A) (Simplex/Duplex) Receptacle for the Washer/Dryer.
No other outlets on that circuit, none.. not even in the laundry area/room. That's just the way I've seen it done and have done it.

However, the question seems to be one that is raised a lot, based on my searches, as to whether or not other receptacles, sometimes referred to as "convenience receptacles" or what would essentially amount to "general purpose receptacles" within the laundry area are allowed on that 20A Laundry Branch Circuit. I say NO.

I just want to get your take on my interpretation of the code.

When reading 210.52(F) where it says "...at least one..." it implies that there could be more than one receptacle, BUT taken in combination with 210.11(C)(2) as meaning that my initial interpretation above is the correct one.

210.11(C)(2) - Requiring a 20A Branch Circuit with no other outlets for that which is required by 210.52(F).
210.52(F) - Requires a minimum of ONE receptacle outlet.

Essentially I'm saying that if you read 210.52(F) by itself, the phrasing "at least one" implies there could be more than one, but if you read the two sections TOGETHER, it's saying that there has to be a dedicated 20A circuit supplying one receptacle outlet with no other outlets. That if you put other outlets in the room they have to be on a separate circuit.

Thoughts?

 

[LarryFine]

We say yes, other laundry receptacles may be on the same circuit.

 

[Jerramundi]

We say yes, other laundry receptacles may be on the same circuit.

Interesting. I've heard that interpretation before, in both forum posts and in professional articles.

I was there somewhat myself when I read 210.52(F) as a standalone section of code due to the phrasing "...at least one," but once I start thinking about it in combination with 210.11(C)(2), I arrived at a different conclusion.

Can I ask what explicitly about the wording of the code leads you to that conclusion? Would I be accurate to assume that it's the "....at least one" part of 210.52(F) ???

 

[wwhitney]

Did not read the OP, but both 210.52(F) and 210.11(C)(2) allow for multiple receptacles, and 210.11(C)(2) allows for only a single circuit.

If the authors of 210 wanted one circuit per receptacle, they would have called for an "individual branch circuit," see the definition in Chapter 100.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[infinity]

210.52(F) Laundry Areas. In dwelling units, at least one receptacle outlet shall be installed in areas designated for the installation
of laundry equipment.

At least one does not limit it to only one.

 

[Jerramundi]

At least one does not limit it to only one.

Agreed. My point of contention does not come from a misunderstanding of the wording "at least one" in 210.52(F). You could give me a little credit, buddy, lol.

As I previously stated in the OP, when reading 210.52(F), it's clear that there may be MORE than one receptacle, but AT LEAST ONE installed in the laundry area designated for the installation of laundry equipment.

My point of contention arises when you take 210.52(F) in COMBINATION with 210.11(C)(2).

Let me see if I can clarify...

 

[infinity]

My point of contention arises when you take 210.52(F) in COMBINATION with 210.11(C)(2).

I see no conflict, it clearly states that more than one receptacle outlet may be used for the laundry area. If the design wants 4 receptacle outlets for the laundry area on one circuit nothing would prohibit that.

210.11(C)(2) Laundry Branch Circuits. In addition to the number of branch circuits required by other parts of this section, at least
one additional 20-ampere branch circuit shall be provided to supply the laundry receptacle outlet(s) required by 210.52(F).
This circuit shall have no other outlets

 

[Jerramundi]

210.11(C)(2) Laundry Branch Circuits. In addition to the number of branch circuits required by other parts of this section, at least
one additional 20-ampere branch circuit shall be provided to supply the laundry receptacle outlet(s) required by 210.52(F).
This circuit shall have no other outlets
.

I see your point and I'm not saying you're wrong. I will take your position into consideration and appreciate the input.

What I'm saying is that...

210.52(F) in combination with 210.11(C)(2), the two sections of code at requiring you to place "at least one receptacle outlet.... on a dedicated 20A circuit with no other outlets."

You see what I'm getting at? Looking at the different sections alone as opposed to together??

 

[Jerramundi]

Did not read the OP, but both 210.52(F) and 210.11(C)(2) allow for multiple receptacles, and 210.11(C)(2) allows for only a single circuit.

If the authors of 210 wanted one circuit per receptacle, they would have called for an "individual branch circuit," see the definition in Chapter 100.

Cheers, Wayne

Fair point about the lack of the use of the phrase "individual branch circuit." I noticed that as well.

 

[infinity]

You see what I'm getting at? Looking at the different sections alone as opposed to together??

One section references the other so they need to be looked at together. You cannot look at 210.11(C)(2) without referencing 210.52(F).

 

[Jerramundi]

One section references the other so they need to be looked at together. You cannot look at 210.11(C)(2) without referencing 210.52(F).

Agreed. That is the point that I'm trying to make and have been making since the beginning of this thread. That they need to be looked at together.

Am I wrong to say that my position is one that is regularly argued as well? Because I feel like I've read it before on this forum and that I'm not the only one who reads it this way.

 

[infinity]

Agreed. That is the point that I'm trying to make and have been making since the beginning of this thread. That they need to be looked at together.

Am I wrong to say that my position is one that is regularly argued as well? Because I feel like I've read it before on this forum and that I'm not the only one who reads it this way.

If they're taken together I don't see an argument that would prohibit several receptacle outlets on the laundry circuit serving the laundry area. I agree that wording is somewhat poor. IMO they should just combine this into one section.

 

[Jerramundi]

If they're taken together I don't see an argument that would prohibit several receptacle outlets on the laundry circuit serving the laundry area. I agree that wording is somewhat poor. IMO they should just combine this into one section.

I think it would be better in one section as well.

I still feel like the safer installation is one in which it's just one receptacle on a dedicated 20A circuit. That's the way I was taught and have typically seen it done. It's only once you get your head into this book for an extended period of time that things can start to get blurry, lol.

Functionality wise, you feed a would be general purpose receptacle on the same circuit for say, a clothes iron, and try to use it while washing some clothes, you might trip the breaker.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

210.11(C)(2) has ZERO to say about the number of receptacles that the branch circuit can supply in the laundry area. That section simply says you must install a 20 amp branch circuit for the laundry area and that the circuit can only supply receptacles in the laundry area. It cannot supply the lights in the laundry area or receptacles outside of the laundry area.

As far as your comment about the receptacle to supply an iron, that is actually the original reason why the laundry area requires a 20 amp branch circuit to supply the receptacles in that area.

 

[Jerramundi]

It cannot supply the lights in the laundry area or receptacles outside of the laundry area.

I am aware. Although there is nothing prohibiting the laundry receptacle outlet raceway from being connected to lighting outlets in the room and outside the room, as long as the required 20A circuit feeds only the receptacles in the laundry area as an outlet is defined by a point of utilization. In other words, a separate lighting circuit can run through the same conduit and say, up to some lights.

I've had this argument before where someone tried to tell me that you had to get the bathroom circuit to the bathroom without running through any other junction boxes (i.e. no other outlets) but I'm pretty sure I was just being tested to see if I could get the run done within 360*, lol.

 

[texie]

I've always been of the opinion that the the laundry circuit should be allowed to be done like a kitchen where the frige is allowed on either the SABC or at your option allow an individual 15 amp circuit for the frige. IE the washer could be on its own 15 amp circuit at your option and still require other receps to be on a 20 amp laundry circuit. I realize you can do this under the present code but the washer would have to be on a 20 amp circuit which seems dumb to me.
I'm a scoflaw as that is the way I did my laundry room. I wanted a separate branch circuit for the washer and it just seems to be a pure waste to require a 20 amp circuit for this.

 

[Jerramundi]

I've always been of the opinion that the the laundry circuit should be allowed to be done like a kitchen where the frige is allowed on either the SABC or at your option allow an individual 15 amp circuit for the frige. IE the washer could be on its own 15 amp circuit at your option and still require other receps to be on a 20 amp laundry circuit. I realize you can do this under the present code but the washer would have to be on a 20 amp circuit which seems dumb to me.
I'm a scoflaw as that is the way I did my laundry room. I wanted a separate branch circuit for the washer and it just seems to be a pure waste to require a 20 amp circuit for this.

Why would the washer HAVE to be on a 20A circuit? I mean, I plan on doing it this way, but it's my understanding that if you wanted to be sneaky, you could feed a single receptacle on the wall opposite the washer and dryer with a 20A circuit... and then feed your washer with a 15A circuit and still be compliant. It really depends on (1) meeting the min. req. of feeding the room with a 20A circuit and (2) how you interpret the phrasing of "laundry AREA" (i.e. does it refer to the place where the machines are placed or does it more broadly mean the room itself?) Common sense dictates the code is talking about the receptacle directly behind the machines, but ya know, word games, lol.

 

[wwhitney]

I realize you can do this under the present code but the washer would have to be on a 20 amp circuit which seems dumb to me.

Why do say that? I don't see 210.11(C)(2) as saying that every receptacle installed in the laundry area has to be served by a 20 amp circuit, just that the receptacle you designate as being installed to satisfy 210.52(F) has to be so served.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[don_resqcapt19]

I am aware. Although there is nothing prohibiting the laundry receptacle outlet raceway from being connected to lighting outlets in the room and outside the room, as long as the required 20A circuit feeds only the receptacles in the laundry area as an outlet is defined by a point of utilization. In other words, a separate lighting circuit can run through the same conduit and say, up to some lights.

I've had this argument before where someone tried to tell me that you had to get the bathroom circuit to the bathroom without running through any other junction boxes (i.e. no other outlets) but I'm pretty sure I was just being tested to see if I could get the run done within 360*, lol.

and that relates to your original post, HOW???

 

[Jerramundi]

and that relates to your original post, HOW???

I was responding to this....

It cannot supply the lights in the laundry area...