Tapping the dryer circuit

Merry Christmas
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stickboy1375 said:
Since when does a laundry circuit have to be GFI?
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It doesn't unless there might be a sink in the area. My mistake in saying a GFCI but I most of the time put them in a laundry room.
Sorry for the wording.
Jim
 
stickboy1375 said:
Quick question, is it really the inspectors job to say whats missing in a rough in? How would he really even know what the electrician did?
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Absolutely, it's the inspector's job to check that all the required circuits by the code are installed.

He would know this by looking in the laundry room and identifying the two circuits. If they can't figure it out, they should be doing something else. However, inspectors are human and occasionally they miss things. This sounds like a huge "OOOPS" to me, but nothing a sawzall and some sheetrock/taping can't fix.
 
stickboy1375 said:
I dont have a NEC 2005 in front of me, but you would only need GFI in a laundry room if a receptacle was within 6' of a sink correct?
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You are correct. I wrote that earlier in the post and said I was sorry about that.
Jim
 
Ben Trueblood said:
Gentlemen,
I have a customer who did not know when he designed his plan that his stackable washer and dryer would need a seperate 110V outlet. He thought it was (1) 30 Amp Plug. We ran 10/3 copper with ground as required. The question is there anything in the code that will allow me to tap off of the existing 30 Amp circuit to get him the seperate 110V outlet he needs. Old work from the panel is not an option. Thanks for the advice.
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Opps, maybe its time to start shoping for a new washer/dryer unit :D
 
paul said:
Absolutely, it's the inspector's job to check that all the required circuits by the code are installed.

He would know this by looking in the laundry room and identifying the two circuits. If they can't figure it out, they should be doing something else. However, inspectors are human and occasionally they miss things. This sounds like a huge "OOOPS" to me, but nothing a sawzall and some sheetrock/taping can't fix.
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Wrong,its his job to site observed violations.He is not certifying your work is to code or will even work.Your the EC do your job and dont pass it off on him.
 
james wuebker said:
It doesn't unless there might be a sink in the area. My mistake in saying a GFCI but I most of the time put them in a laundry room.
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Most of the laundry rooms I deal with are in unfinished basements and within 6' of a sink (for the washing machine drain hose). Even so, an inspector told me recently that the next code cycle is going to get rid of all exceptions for the GFCI rules in unfinished basements.
 
cpal said:
I've connected plenty of 10 GA conductors to 15 and 20A devices. P&S lists there devices for 10Ga. http://www.passandseymour.com/, my guess is they are not alone.??
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I looked at a P&S receptacle this evening and discovered that they are indeed listed for up to #10. I've never attempted it, though. Not sure why I'd want to use #10 on a 20A circuit unless it was really far away from the panel. I generally don't work in houses that big.
 
jeff43222 said:
I looked at a P&S receptacle this evening and discovered that they are indeed listed for up to #10. I've never attempted it, though. Not sure why I'd want to use #10 on a 20A circuit unless it was really far away from the panel. I generally don't work in houses that big.
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We have engineers spec #10 conductors for receptacle circuits all of the time. It really makes you appreciate #14 and #12 wire after installing #10's on devices all day.
 
Dryer Tap

Dryer Tap

First of all thanks for all the responses. One response that caught my eye was the one referencing using a sub-panel. Even if I were to set a sub panel isn't the # 10 feeding the sub-panel too small to carry the load for both appliances?
 
Ben Trueblood said:
First of all thanks for all the responses. One response that caught my eye was the one referencing using a sub-panel. Even if I were to set a sub panel isn't the # 10 feeding the sub-panel too small to carry the load for both appliances?
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It will cause tripping if the load rises up when running both units.It's a band-aid at best.
 
Jim W in Tampa said:
I too think it will cause tripping but it is a legal way out.Used as a feeder could he up the breaker to the 75 degree colum ?
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Maybe he could if he didn't use NM cable.
 
Jim W in Tampa said:
I too think it will cause tripping but it is a legal way out.Used as a feeder could he up the breaker to the 75 degree colum ?
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I think the small conductor rule of 240.4(D) still applies, and therefore, requires 30 amp OCPD.

Also, the load calculation for the feeder would be noncompliant with the laundry circuit and the dryer loads.
 
jeff43222 said:
Most of the laundry rooms I deal with are in unfinished basements and within 6' of a sink (for the washing machine drain hose). Even so, an inspector told me recently that the next code cycle is going to get rid of all exceptions for the GFCI rules in unfinished basements.
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So whos gonna pay for all the spoiled meat in the basement freezer when that gfi trips...???
 
This is the exact situation I ran into today. This is a BRAND NEW building. They got the permit to occupy about one month ago. There are 120 units, none of which have a laundry receptacle. They are condos and each unit has a laundry area big enough for a washer and dryer, but there is only a 30a 220v outlet.

I got involved because one of the new owners bought a stack washer/dryer that requires 220 and 120. When he contacted the builder, he said "it's your problem.

My question is how did the building get approved without the laundry outlets? I know of no provision other than the exception to 210.52(f) which waives the laundry circuit requirement for multi-family dwellings when a common laundry facility is available to all occupants. I wonder if the builder installed a common laundry area as a "bonus" and then got away without providing the outlets in each unit! Are condos considered multi-family dwellings or are they a bunch of single-family dwellings?

In the mean time, I am considering installing a 20a receptacle tapped off the dryer circuit. If I feed it with #10 wire and it's approved for #10 wire, is this OK? I have read the previous posts and it seems as though its a firm "maybe." I'm curious if there are any more opinions out there and possibly some code references.

One thought I had is that the 20a receptacle is rated for 20a. Is it legal to use it with a 30a breaker even if it is rated for #10 wire. I know I can use 15a receptacles on a 20a circuit.
 
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