Safety and hardwire question

[dm9289]

If you have a commercial laundromat 2020 it appears if cord and plug connected the washer needs GFCI protection.

If hardwired it appears it is not necessary.

Why would hardwired be considered safe without GFCI protection?

Or am I incorrect

 

[LarryFine]

Why would hardwired be considered safe without GFCI protection?

Because GFCI protection is largely about accidental contact with plug blades.

 

[dm9289]

Because GFCI protection is largely about accidental contact with plug blades.

Thank you Larry, being involved with industrial equipment I always had in my mind leakage current being a hazard that likely won’t trip a breaker.

I was not thinking of the attachment cord blades.

I always had the toaster example and touching the case in my head. Where the cord is not a factor

 

[LarryFine]

That's why most GFCI requirements are based on the location and purpose of the receptacle, and less so on the connected load.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Because GFCI protection is largely about accidental contact with plug blades.

I don't think so...The original reason was the idea that it is much more likely that the equipment grounding path will be compromised with cord and plug connected equipment as compared to hardwired equipment.
In fact, until recently the product listing standards for hard wired equipment did not even look a the issue of leakage current because the assumption is that the code required EGC eliminates the hazard from leakage current.