Re: Receptacles on Plumbing Device
Originally posted by dpenbert: Can you explain why not?
Perhaps the reason is that the code making panels could not justify forcing all circuits to be GFCI protected. It's not impossible that things will evolve that way, but it's not likely to happen quickly.
I think that the reason has to do with the potential paths for current flow. If a device experiences a short circuit from a hot leg to an external metal part, the thing that protects the human operator (or the innocent bystander) is the equipment grounding conductor. But there are circumstances in which a human can become part of the circuit, without the external metal parts also being part of the circuit. One example is a damaged and wet extension cord used outdoors. Another is a hair dryer (plastic case, no EGC) that is dropped into bathroom sink. Another is an old drill (again, plastic case, no EGC) that you are more likely to use in your garage or unfinished basement than in the dining room. The areas in which GFCI protection is needed are the areas in which a hazard is more likely to exist.
I can't think of a scenario in which a person is likely to get a shock from a washer or dryer, without the EGC also being involved, and without the breaker tripping because of fault current flowing in the EGC.