Laundry

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vptim

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I think I just got educated. I had an electrical inspector fail an inspection because my washing machine circuit was not GFCI protected.
When i asked what article he was referring to, he told me it was in the 2005 NEC and he was told to start enforcing it as of today.
I can't find anything to back up his findings.
I can find many articles, but nothing that agrees with his ruling. THe articles are; 210.11 C2, 210.52, 210.8 A7, 220.52 A & B, 400.7 A6,7,8, 550.12 B and 550.13 B exceptions.
Anyone have any input?

Thanks
 
Re: Laundry

Dedicated spaces in unfinished basements for appliances do not require GFCI protection. Take look at 210.8(A)(5)Ex(2):


210.8 Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for Personnel.
FPN: See 215.9 for ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel on feeders.
(A) Dwelling Units. All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in the locations specified in (1) through (8) shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.
(1) Bathrooms
(2) Garages, and also accessory buildings that have a floor located at or below grade level not intended as habitable rooms and limited to storage areas, work areas, and areas of similar use
Exception No. 1 to (2): Receptacles that are not readily accessible.
Exception No. 2 to (2): A single receptacle or a duplex receptacle for two appliances located within dedicated space for each appliance that, in normal use, is not easily moved from one place to another and that is cord-and-plug connected in accordance with 400.7(A)(6), (A)(7), or (A)(8).
Receptacles installed under the exceptions to 210.8(A)(2) shall not be considered as meeting the requirements of 210.52(G)
(3) Outdoors
Exception to (3): Receptacles that are not readily accessible and are supplied by a dedicated branch circuit for electric snow-melting or deicing equipment shall be permitted to be installed in accordance with 426.28.
Receptacles installed under the exceptions to 210.8(A)(5) shall not be considered as meeting the requirements of 210.52(G).
(4) Crawl spaces ? at or below grade level
(5) Unfinished basements ? for purposes of this section, unfinished basements are defined as portions or areas of the basement not intended as habitable rooms and limited to storage areas, work areas, and the like
Exception No. 1 to (5): Receptacles that are not readily accessible.
Exception No. 2 to (5): A single receptacle or a duplex receptacle for two appliances located within dedicated space for each appliance that, in normal use, is not easily moved from one place to another and that is cord-and-plug connected in accordance with 400.7(A)(6), (A)(7), or (A)(8).
Exception No. 3 to (5): A receptacle supplying only a permanently installed fire alarm or burglar alarm system shall not be required to have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection.
 
Re: Laundry

Most GFCI requirements are found in 210.8

In this case it is 210.8(A)(7).

However it only applies to laundry receptacles within 6' of a sink.

No sink, no GFCI required.
 
Re: Laundry

I forgot to ask, was this in an unfinished basement or within 6' of a utility sink?
 
Re: Laundry

Originally posted by infinity:
I forgot to ask, was this in an unfinished basement or within 6' of a utility sink?
Well I forgot to ask was this within 6' of a utility sink, or in an unfinished basement?

[ November 10, 2005, 04:26 PM: Message edited by: iwire ]
 
Re: Laundry

Or is it in a bathroom.

For future questions give as much info as posssible. You'l get a better answer. Sometimes. ;)
 
Re: Laundry

210.8 A excp.2 does say if not easily moved (in normal use )Has anyone ever tried to move a washing machine full of wet clothes and a tub that holds what ?? 90 gallons of H2O.At 32 deg.cellsius it weighs 8.338 lbs. / gal.thats over 750 lbs not including the washer it self and thats what another 165 + lbs...So we are looking at a combined min. weight of 915 lbs.
plus the clothes so lets say a 1/2 ton.I can see his point when mom sees a mouse and grabs that machine with one hand and throws it to kill a poor defensless mouse. Somebody call the ASPCA.
 
Re: Laundry

Is the clothes dryer gas or electric? Is the laundry receptacle a single or duplex outlet?
 
Re: Laundry

There is a laundry tub, but less then 6 feet away. It is a single receptacle, not a duplex. It is not in a bathroom. It is in a laundry/mudroom. The clothes dryer is electric.
 
Re: Laundry

210.8(A)(7)
Does not give relief for equipment that is permanently in place - as you do not see any exceptions.
For the '05, if any 15 or 20 amp, 125v receptacle is within 6' of the laundry sink, single or duplex, it will require GFCI protection.
 
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