Article 422.16 (B) (2) (2) states that a cord connected dishwasher must not be shorter than 3 foot, and no longer than 4 foot. I was handed an 8 foot, 15a, 125v, cord and told to go wire a DW the other day. I said to my suprior that the cord was too long and that I needed to cut it down to meet code, my boss told me not to worry about it.
Do any of you inspectors enforce this code or is it no big deal? Also, what is the purpose of using a short cord as opposed to one that is say, 8 feet long?
Thanks.
Not an Inspector: But....
The length of the cord shall be 0.9 m to 1.2 m (3 ft to 4 ft) measured from the face of the attachment plug to the plane of the rear of the appliance.
2'+ is under the DW most often, what you don't use cut off, and leave 3-4' from the back of the unit. A Bosch will have about 3 1/2' in the track that runs under the unit to the receptical in the cabinet next to it, so using a 6' cord, as I normally do, leaves it a little short, depending on where under the sink the receptical was installed.
E57 nailed it by the book. Most DW are 'hard wired' around here.
John
You know what? I have hardwired just about every dishwasher I have ever done. Only now my wife went out to the Sears family day sale last weekend and bought a Bosch dishwasher for - get this- $1,250 bucks!. It only has a one year warrenty. That sucker is going to get a receptacle hookup with the kind of receptalce outlet that has a built in surge protector for sure. I don't want to spend this much twice.
Yes, I inspect for this violation.
The purpose, in my opinion is because in the old days [last week] somebody would buy a six or nine foot fixture cord and wrap it around the plumbing lines and the garbage can with enough left hanging out to get it pinched in the cabinet doors.
I keep seeing six footers on garbage disposals, because the plumber puts them in, then the electrician gets the call back for the correction.
It is less of a problem with the dishwasher since many are hard wired.
Alan--Inspector
Alan:
A question, please......
If the electrician installs a single receptacle for an appliance, say a garbage disposal, and it is on a 15 amp cb, as per the plans/specs/permit app....
Then, how is it the EC's responsibility for what is 'plugged into' said single receptacle??
Again, if the dw comes with a cord from the factory (mfg), how is the responsibility of the cord the EC's?? OK, if the EC installs the cord & cap, yes, then he is responsible, but if Pete the plumber installs the GD with a cord....then what??
Not trying to start a war....but AHJ to AHJ please!
John
$1250 for a dishwasher!!!
Mine keeps coming home with broken clocks from the junkshop.
"Can you fix this?"
"Er, no love, it's buggered."
"If it was a bloody woodworking machine you could!"
Alan
"Then, how is it the EC's responsibility for what is 'plugged into' said single receptacle??
Again, if the dw comes with a cord from the factory (mfg), how is the responsibility of the cord the EC's?? OK, if the EC installs the cord & cap, yes, then he is responsible, but if Pete the plumber installs the GD with a cord....then what??
Not trying to start a war....but AHJ to AHJ please!"
This is not necessarily the ECs's fault, or violation, but in new work where an inspector is called in to do an inspection, 422.16(B)(1)&(2) require these cords to be a certain length. If upon inspection they are not within the specified length - violation - if not to the EC, to the building owner.
It all just are opinion so I will add mine.
An electrical inspector has no business requiring changes to factory installed cords (which I believe is what John is asking about) regardless of gauge, length, cord cap choice etc.
That is what a listing means to me.
Part of 90.7
It is the intent of this Code that factory-installed internal wiring or the construction of equipment need not be inspected at the time of installation of the equipment, except to detect alterations or damage, if the equipment has been listed by a qualified electrical testing laboratory that is recognized as having the facilities described in the preceding paragraph and that requires suitability for installation in accordance with this Code.
It reads to me that the inspector is required to ensure they are no alterations to listed equipment , not require alterations.
JMO, Bob
Pierre:
Are we talking about 'factory' (mfg) cords/caps; or 'field installed, if in complance with mfg instructions??
I agree with your reasoning above, but, seems Alan was leaning to a red sticker for the EC.
As I said, most are hard wired in my areas.
John
John,
Around by me I am starting to see both hard wired and plug connected. I will try to look at see that the cord meets the proper length allowed by the code, but real truth is with out yanking on the cord or pulling out the DW, how can you tell if it is too long? Well, if I see a lot of extra cable lying areound under the sink cabinet, then you can easily tell that it is too long.
As for failing a job even when the EC didn't to the work, I tell the HO or the GC that the job will fail because of XYZ problem, and I know that the problem wasn't caused by the electrician. Now it is up to the HO or the GC to get the job corrected or face the fine. That usually scares the HO in to hiring the EC to fix what ever someone else screwed up.
I have never seen a dish washer or a disposal come with a factory cord on it.
Are they real common?
[This message has been edited by russ m (edited 11-19-2005).]
A line cord is a regular feature you can order. It is very common to see them here on new construction. Appliances get installed right before the house gets closed or else they tend to walk away.
Cord and plug also makes it easier/safer the next time this gets replaced by the homeowner.
If it's a feature you can order, is it factory installed or done at the appliance store?
I'm not against them, but I suspect most are installed after they leave the factory. Factory installed one,s probably would be more likely to have molded or plastic type press in cord grips
[This message has been edited by russ m (edited 11-19-2005).]
These are the ones my favorite builder uses and they come from the factory with a cord
http://www.whirlpool.com/catalog/product.jsp?src=DISPOSERS&cat=111&prod=197
I'll bet you a cup of coffee that any LISTED appliance that comes with a FACTORY connected cord will have said cord to the legal code length.
Great discussion here. Thanks for all the input. I was so used to hardwiring these DW's for years and now all of sudden the cord has become more common place, It's good to know about changes as they are taking place. Thanks.
This might be a different direction but, when another trade creates an electrical violation where an electrician has a permit and calls for the inspection it is IMO an electrical violation and goes against the electrician.
The owner is responsible for correcting the defect but it is an electrical violation.
Devices set to deep in drywall, or in wood paneling; balconies or windows at the point of attachment; a double sink put in where a single was planned so there is an outlet on only one side; putting the water heater in front of the panel.
Smoke detectors are not in the electrical code but, the electrician always gets blamed for not having them.
It isn't fair but, it is the Code.
I just write the violation, who fixes it is up to the owner.
Alan--
Alan:
I have to agree 100% with your above post.
John