Are Gfci Needed In Laundry Rooms

With this said the nec doesn t say that a washing machine needs to to be on a gfci but it does say that the laundry area must have them installed.

Are gfci needed in laundry rooms.

When and where are gfci receptacles required. 210 8 a 10 all 125v 15a and 20a receptacles installed in laundry areas shall have gfci protection. The code mandate was later expanded to include any receptacles in a laundry room in the 2014 nec. The nec doesn t require gfci protection for clothes washing machines specifically but it does for laundry areas.

Occupancy controlled lighting will be required too. So does my washing machine need a gfci outlet. Receptacles within 6 feet of a laundry sink were first required to be gfci protected by the 2005 edition of the national electrical code nec. Because by definition where the washing machine is located becomes the laundry the two phases of this requirement meant that initially a washing.

See the nec code requirements in the table below for more specific information. According to the nec a gfci is required if the power outlet is within 1 8 meter radius from the water source. Originally they were only required at the exterior of the house and by swimming pool equipment. So in this case yes the washing machine would need to be on a gfci receptacle if in a laundry area which i assume that it would be.

Although the code does not specifically state that a washing machine receptacle has to be gfci the washing machine must have water service and a drain so its location becomes defined as a laundry. In laundry rooms and utility rooms gfcis should be installed on outlets within six feet of sinks washing machines and water heaters. Over the years gfci receptacles have been required in more locations such as garages bathrooms kitchens etc. Gfci receptacles are required in bathrooms garages crawl spaces basements laundry rooms and areas where a water source is present.

Gfci protection is required for 125 volt to 250 volt receptacles supplied by single phase branch circuits rated 150 volts or less to the ground. If the laundry room does not have a window then an exhaust fan will be required along with a switch. They should also be installed within six feet of a wet bar. Gfci receptacle outlets electrical question.

Now let s refer to nec 2017 section 210 8 for the answer to the gfci portion of our question. Yes as of the 2017 edition of the national electrical code nec any receptacles in a laundry room must be gfci protected. 2005 does require gfci 6 from laundry sinks. Gfci receptacles were required in houses starting in 1971.