ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues Electric Hand Dryers

Can anyone point me in the right direction with the 2008 code? We are installing Hand dryers in the bathrooms at work and I can't seem to find anything in the code pertaining to this specifically.

Is there anything in there I should be aware of?

Thanks for the help.

That's an interesting issue.

Most of those dryers are 240v .... which begs the question: to GFI or not?

My main question comes with the branch circuit aspect of it. My foreman has told us to drop a 12/2 MC cable down to it and this just doesn't feel right, but I still don't see anything relating to it in the code. I've been scanning and looking for the past 1/2 hour or so.


To GFI or not is a good question too. As well as distance from the edge of a sink maybe?

12/2 simply isn't enough. Look at the nameplate; I think you'll find you need at least #10, and you'll want to have that red wire as well as a neutral. After all, some of the new ones have motion sensors, etc in them - so they might need that neutral.

I don't think the NEC specifically addresses the issue; the usual ampacity rules apply.

Since you're using MC, you really want to get it right the first time.

ALSO .. pay special attention to mounting height. Some folks place them so thay can do double duty as hair dryers.

I've never encountered these dryers with heat that didn't have a 20A rating on the name plate, but then the only ones that I've worked with have been 120 volts. That being said, a 30 amp circuit would be required using #10.

The "turbo jet" ones that just use high-velocity air are different and a 20 amp circuit will suffice.

GFCI protection? Not that I can tell.

I have not come across any that were beyond 20 amp. I also specify a permanent breaker lock to keep the area clean.

well right now we are just roughing in the area, so we don't have the actual equipment to reference with. This is the first time I have roughed in a bathroom with hand dryers.


I do want to ask why you think we might need the 10-3 wire though?

I've installed or worked on lots of these. I've never seen one that had GFCI protecton nor installed one that way. I can't think of any rule that would require that unless there's a local ordinance. I'm assuming these will be hardwired and not plug connected.

I went through my wife's catalogs from her shopping expedition into this area and the dryers seem to range from 1500 to 2300 watts for the conventional ones and 1100 watts for the new "high velocity" green dryers.
If you are going to have 240v dryers I see no reason why 14-2 would not work but 12-2 is the safe bet.

GA:
A quick heads up on this....
Is your facility subject to ADA (American Disability Act) commonly called 'handicapped'. If it is, watch the mounting heights.