Type NM for Dishwasher

C

creininger86

Member
Location
United States
Occupation
Inspector
Kitchens, being damp locations, would normally prohibit the use of exposed NM cable. This dishwasher is direct wired (not plug & cord) with NM cable. The cable is concealed behind the appliance when not removed for service. The question is whether this still qualifies as a damp location and would therefore need a cable rated for such?
 
creininger86 said:
Kitchens, being damp locations, would normally prohibit the use of exposed NM cable. This dishwasher is direct wired (not plug & cord) with NM cable. The cable is concealed behind the appliance when not removed for service. The question is whether this still qualifies as a damp location and would therefore need a cable rated for such?
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Not a damp location. Every dishwasher I have ever installed just had the NM stubbed out of the wall, or floor, then to the appliance junction box. Cord and plug DW are not the norm in this area.
 
Little Bill said:
Not a damp location. Every dishwasher I have ever installed just had the NM stubbed out of the wall, or floor, then to the appliance junction box. Cord and plug DW are not the norm in this area.
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Why would anyone direct wire a DW and not want a cord with a plug on it? Seems like if I wanted to pull it out and work on it, a cord would be so much easier. I typically put a GFCI under my sink and just run the cord through a hole and plug it in. So much easier.
 
DWs (like most appliances) have gotten to the point where unless it's a very simple and obvious repair (e.g. door gasket), it's not economically sensible to attempt servicing versus replacement.
 
I worked for one company that had me sleeve the NM to the dishwashers in flex, another kitchen and bath outfit did Bosch all cord and plug,
There is a code requirement that NM not be subject to physical damage and under the DW is a common location for rodent damage, but 'subject to physical damage' open to wide interpretation.
Not sure if cord and plug has the same restrictions, dishwasher cords are probably 'hard usage' or whatever the call it.
 
4x4dually said:
Why would anyone direct wire a DW and not want a cord with a plug on it?
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It must be a regional thing. I have never seen a dishwasher or a disposer that wasn't hardwired.

NM to a disposer usually gets a sleeve of 1/2" flex, and a dishwasher just an NM connector.
 
infinity said:
Kitchens are not by Article 100 definition a damp location.
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Thank you! My NEC pdf was refusing to load so I couldn't remember the definitions, I could have sworn kitchens were damp due to the 6ft GFCI requirement. Probably just drawing the wrong conclusions. Only had the handbook available and, strangely, Damp isn't in Article 100 for the 2014 edition.
 
4x4dually said:
Why would anyone direct wire a DW and not want a cord with a plug on it? Seems like if I wanted to pull it out and work on it, a cord would be so much easier. I typically put a GFCI under my sink and just run the cord through a hole and plug it in. So much easier.
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Just was never done here as the DW never ship with a cord. At least never saw one around here shipped with a cord. If you need to work on it, you're likely not pulling it out without disconnecting the water supply. With the JB being in the front, it's no problem disconnecting it there and also disconnect the water while you're there.
Also, technically can't run a cord through a hole in the cabinet.
 
In my area the standard has always been cords for connection disposals and dishwashers.

For those that say they have never seen a cord connected dishwasher I guess you don't see any Miele, Thermador, Bosch or Fisher Paykel dishwashers. They come with factory cords with no way to hard-wire directly to the appliance. Bosch does offer a hard wire option but it is a 4 foot cord that that a 4X4 non metallic junction box on the end instead of a 5-15 plug.
 
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