Washer in cellar

[6768rogues]

I don't have the electrical code at hand. I am doing a little wiring in a rental property for my son and it has the washer and dryer in the cellar. The washer will have a dedicated receptacle. Does that need to be GFCI protected? The dryer and water heater are 240 volt and I don't recall having to do anything special for them. Thanks, it has been a while since I put myself to sleep with the electrical code.

 

[yeldogt]

I believe if a washer is in an unfinished basement it's required to have a GFI -- also if it's within 6' of a sink in any situation. It's not required in a laundry room if sink more than 6' away -- I guess because it becomes a dedicated outlet for the washer and other outlets are available due to code.

 

[cmandp]

I'm not sure what is needed for code but I am running a new 20A dedicated circuit for our washer and I was going to put at GFCI outlet in it anyway. Figured it couldn't hurt since there is water running through the washer. This is in a finished space on the first floor however not an unfinished basement

 

[Milton Shaw]

Pay a little extra and get the 20 amp GCFI it will last better than the 15 amp..

 

[yeldogt]

Code has always been to use a 20amp circuit for washer. The water in the appliance is not the reason for a GFI -- same with a dishwasher.

It seems years ago there were more nuisance trips with GFI's -- people wanted to limit use.

 

[larry4406]

New residential construction experience here - all outlets in unfinished space are GFI. Our laundry rooms are in finished spaces on the 2nd floor and the washer is required to be GFI.

YMMV.

 

[6768rogues]

New residential construction experience here - all outlets in unfinished space are GFI. Our laundry rooms are in finished spaces on the 2nd floor and the washer is required to be GFI.

YMMV.

I don't have a problem with a GFCI for the washer. I understand that new ones are more tolerant than older ones for motor loads. It doesn't make sense, though, when the washer is sitting right next to a dryer that is 240 V with no GFCI.

 

[ishiboo]

I don't have a problem with a GFCI for the washer. I understand that new ones are more tolerant than older ones for motor loads. It doesn't make sense, though, when the washer is sitting right next to a dryer that is 240 V with no GFCI.

It does because it's a regular 120V outlet which could be used for anything. YOU just plan on having a washer plugged in. What happens when the door gasket goes and you plug in your Hoover from upstairs with the frayed cord to vacuum up the water?

 

[MattT]

I don't have a problem with a GFCI for the washer. I understand that new ones are more tolerant than older ones for motor loads.

Had problem with a <18 month old Square D GFCI breaker tripping when the washer ramped up to spin.

 

[yeldogt]

New residential construction experience here - all outlets in unfinished space are GFI. Our laundry rooms are in finished spaces on the 2nd floor and the washer is required to be GFI.

YMMV.

Do you have sinks within 6' ....?

The code is not concerned about the water in the washer.

The code is concerned about someone using the outlet for something that could be dropped in water ... from the sink. That's why it's not required in a finished space unless the space has a sink near the washer.

In a finished space the washer will have other outlets around it the will have to meet the code ...

In an unfinished space the washers outlet may not have many other outlets around it and could be expected to be used for power

 

[yeldogt]

It does because it's a regular 120V outlet which could be used for anything. YOU just plan on having a washer plugged in. What happens when the door gasket goes and you plug in your Hoover from upstairs with the frayed cord to vacuum up the water?

The assumption in a finished space is you will have other outlets -- because code will demand it. a close sink nearby is the exception. They want to remove even that possibility under those conditions.

 

[larry4406]

Do you have sinks within 6' ....?

The code is not concerned about the water in the washer.

The code is concerned about someone using the outlet for something that could be dropped in water ... from the sink. That's why it's not required in a finished space unless the space has a sink near the washer.

In a finished space the washer will have other outlets around it the will have to meet the code ...

In an unfinished space the washers outlet may not have many other outlets around it and could be expected to be used for power

Yeldogt - no our laundry rooms do not always have a sink, yet the inspectors require the washer to be on GFCI.

 

[alfredeneuman]

Pay a little extra and get the 20 amp GCFI it will last better than the 15 amp.

15 and 20 amp receptacles are identical inside, except for the orientation of the slots.
All the current carrying parts are the same.