ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area 210.8.... query....

... 210.8 states: A) Dwelling Units
(7) Laundry, Utility, and Wet Bar Sinks. GFCI protection is required for all 15 and 20A, 125V receptacles located within an arc measurement of 6 ft from the dwelling unit laundry, utility, and wet bar sink.

...does that mean the 120 volt washer and dryer circuit has to be on a GFCI as well??
I'd done this in the past and was called back numerous times because the washer motor windings would "simulate" a ground fault on start-up,... so I was told by other sparkies that it's not good to put motor loads on a GFCI because the GFCI "reads" the event as a fault and trips the device... Please advise...thanx...AR

Look at 210.8 (5) exception No 2.

"a duplex receptacle for two appliances"

The exception to 210.8(A)(5) don’t apply. There are no exceptions to 210.8(A)(7)

Curt

If a washing machine trips a GFCI is is broke! That is not uncommon but it is also not right.
I have a 2 foot heavy duty extension cord with the zip cord style wire. I carefully split apart the conductors so I can put my clamp on over each wire. It makes a good testing tool.
I bet you will see current spikes or just a continuous current on the center (EGC) conductor on an appliance that trips the GFCI. I use that for people who give me the old saw about refrigerators tripping GFCIs on start up. They are usually spiking ground faults the whole time they are running.
Washing machines either have damp lint in the open frame motors, water where it shouldn't be or they have damaged conductors shorting to the frame. Remember a short from neutral to ground will trip the GFCI and never trip the O/C device, spark or give any outward appearance of a problem.

Which code cycle? 2005? Wet bars for instance.... It takes an evalutuonary step.


2005 just says "Laundry, Utility, and Wet Bar Sinks. Nothing about countertops.... Hmmmm.... Y'all might be SOL.... Glad I'm not on that code cycle....

Yup, on the 2005 code you either need a long cord or you will be putting the washer on a GFCI. I suppose the installers could put the laundry outlet 61" from the sink. This also does not apply to a laundry that only has a standpipe for the washer drain.

Just wait for the 2008 code...all of the exceptions are gone except for the snow melting/deicing one and the basement one for fire/burglar alarms. Note this is based on the ROP and could change, but I doubt it.
Don

If using GFCI protection for a laundy circuit/ receptacle meets 2005 code, then inspectors around here certainly are NOT enforcing it.

Ya you wouldn't GFCI the laundry plug.

As far as I'm concerned its a dedicated circuit.


..err, even though I will jump from the laundry plug to hit an additiona plug in the laundry room sometimes... and if its within 6' from a sink I Gfci protect it...

So I have nothing to support this off the top of my head, but I do know that I think its rediculas to gfci protect a laundry plug.

[This message has been edited by Trick440 (edited 11-04-2006).]

Here in Chattanooga Tn they are certainly not enforcing it either Shock', when I wired up my new house this past june, everything passed without a hitch. Washer is on a dedicated 20a bc. No gfci protection.