Do You Need GFCI In Laundry Room?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The NEC requires GFCI

(ground-fault circuit interrupter) protection for all standard receptacles serving laundry areas

. This includes the 20-amp designated receptacle for the washer (and gas dryer, as applicable) and any general-use receptacles. GFCI protection is not required for a 30-amp electric dryer receptacle.

Do I need GFCI for washing machine?


The NEC doesn’t require GFCI protection for clothes washing machines

specifically, but it does for “Laundry Areas.” … If the answer is “yes”, then you have your answer- the clothes washing machine will be GFCI protected, because all 120-Volt receptacles are to be GFCI protected in laundry areas, per the 2017 NEC.

When did laundry rooms require GFCI?

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). The code mandate was later expanded to include any receptacles in a laundry room in the

2014

NEC.

What size breaker do I need for a washing machine?

Requires a 120 volt individual, properly grounded branch circuit with a 3 prong grounding type receptacle, protected by a

15 or 20 amp circuit breaker

or time-delay fuse.

Does a refrigerator need a GFCI?

Residential Kitchen

In a dwelling unit (residential), GFCI protection is only required for kitchen receptacles that serve the countertop surfaces.

There’s no requirement to GFCI protect receptacles that serve a refrigerator

. Unless the fridge is plugged into a countertop receptacle.

How many outlets are required in a laundry room?

Section 210.52(F) requires

at least one receptacle outlet

to be installed for the laundry in a dwelling unit. Two exceptions appear immediately after this general rule.

Do dryers have to be GFCI protected?

First, receptacles installed to serve kitchen countertops must be GFCI protected. … Therefore, clothes dryers are now required to be GFCI protected because they

are in the laundry area

.

Do I need GFCI outlets in garage?

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. GFCI receptacles are required in bathrooms,

garages

, crawl spaces, basements, laundry rooms and areas where a water source is present.

Can you plug a washer into a regular outlet?

Washing machines can be plugged into a

standard three-wire grounded AC circuit

that is equipped with circuit-breaker protection. … The washer should be the only electrical device on the circuit, and the electric outlet should be a grounded three-prong.

Can a washing machine run on a 15 amp circuit?

Because of that, all 120V 15 Amp devices are

normally designed to work properly

in a 120V 15 Amp or 120V 20 Amp circuit. This is true for appliances like a washing machine but even for something as small as a cell phone charger that actually uses < 1 Amp.

How many amps does a washing machine pull?

Domestic Portable Appliance Amps Used Watts Used Washing machine

10


2200
Toaster 9.0 2000 Tumble dryer 11.0 2500 Dishwasher 10.0 2200

Is there a difference between GFI and GFCI?

Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) and ground fault interrupters (GFI) are the exact same device under slightly different names. Though

GFCI is more commonly used than GFI

, the terms are interchangeable.

How do I stop my fridge from tripping the GFCI?

If you want to keep the fridge on a GFCI outlet, you can try

replacing the breaker in the box with a GFCI breaker

. Also, if you’re dealing with a dedicated circuit that just operates the refrigerator in the kitchen, you can simply remove the GFCI outlet and replace with a standard outlet.

Why does my refrigerator keep tripping the GFCI?

This is usually caused by multiple appliances being plugged into the same circuit. To avoid this happening, make sure that your refrigerator has a

dedicated circuit

, which you can do by plugging your refrigerator into an alternative power outlet and seeing if it still trips.

What is code for installing electrical outlets?

The US National Electrical Code,

Section 210.52

, states that there should be an electrical outlet in every kitchen, bedroom, living room, family room, and any other room that has dedicated living space. They must be positioned at least every twelve feet measured along the floor line. … The US NEC also advises on type.

Can lights and outlets be on the same circuit?

Basic answer to your question of can a mixture of lights and receptacles be installed on a single circuit is

yes

.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.