Receptacles on Plumbing Device
- Thread starter dpenbert
- Start date
- Status
GG
Senior Member
- Location
- Ft.Worth, T.X.
Re: Receptacles on Plumbing Device
No
No
GG
Senior Member
- Location
- Ft.Worth, T.X.
Re: Receptacles on Plumbing Device
look at 210.8
look at 210.8
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: Receptacles on Plumbing Device
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.
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.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
Re: Receptacles on Plumbing Device
Don
Under the 2005 code, it is possible that you would have to provide GFCI protection. The change in the 2005 code requires that all 125 volt, 15 or 20 amp recpetacles installed within 6' of the outside edge of a laundry sink. There are no exceptions.
Don
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: Receptacles on Plumbing Device
And that's a good thing! After all, when I pick up the washer with one hand, so that I can sweep the floor under it with the other hand, I might accidentally drop it into the laundry sink.
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
Re: Receptacles on Plumbing Device
GFCI breakers can be used to feed these devices if GFCI protection is required or desired.
GFCI breakers can be used to feed these devices if GFCI protection is required or desired.
volt101
Senior Member
- Location
- New Hampshire
Re: Receptacles on Plumbing Device
In order to reply correctly:
What room is the device installed in?
Jim
In order to reply correctly:
What room is the device installed in?
Jim
- Status