Washer Dryer: Separate Circuit?

Do washers and dryers (gas 120V variety) need their own circuits?

 

Devin, when you have a new question please start a new thread. It's too confusing when you piggyback. I have moved your post to its own thread.

 

Source:Mike Holt Mike Holt Code Resources Code Tips

 

To add GFI protection is required within 6' of a sink.

 

Yeah, no sinks in there. I just read on the Holt forums that GFCI and AFCI is required in laundry rooms. Is that accurate?

 

That sounds like the change made by the 2014 edition of the NEC.

 

It looks like my municipality is using the 2008 code, so hopefully I can avoid that.

In my other thread I ran a circuit to the laundry room but terminated it at a surface mount, plastic two-gang box. I was thinking of extending the power to the washing machine but I don't know what the best way to do this. There is brick under the box so I can't go through the wall. I could do one of three things:

Use plastic conduit from the new box and surface mount it down the wall and extend it to the middle of the adjacent wall (that would end up being three 90• bends) and terminate at another surface mount box.

Use plastic conduit from the new box and surface mount it, run it into the adjacent wall, fish it through the wall and use the existing in-wall box.

Run the circuit from the laundry room box, back into the dining room wall, then into the crawl back up into the existing in-wall box.

 

yes....210.12 (A) for arc-fault

210.8 (A) (10) for GFCI

MY READING OF NEC 2014 210.8 many outlets that must GFCI PROTECTED.

my reading of NEC 2014 210.12 all.... every ... 120 volt,single phase,15 or 20 amp branch circuits supplying outlets or devices ..must be arc-fault protected.

can anyone spot a room that must not have arc-fault protection?

 

Bathrooms are still not required to have arc fault protection. Neither is garages, unfinished spaces, or anyplace not in a dwelling.

 

With the two new arc fault interrupters and the two existing GFI breakers my panel is starting to feel full...

I'm going to skip extending the circuit this time around, but I would still like opinions on the surface mount conduit ideas.

 

There is no (10) under 210.8 (A) in the 2008 NEC which is the version adopted by the OP's municipality.

 

I'd say go with an external conduit like you planned, the choice of conduit is asthetic based on your preferences.

As far as AFCI:
210.12 Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection.
(A) Dwelling Units. All 120-volt, single phase, 15- and
20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets installed in
dwelling unit family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms,
parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation
rooms, closets, hallways, or similar rooms or areas shall
be protected by a listed arc-fault circuit interrupter,
combination-type, installed to provide protection of the
branch circuit.

I don't see kitchens, baths, garages, basements, outdoors... Seems like anyone who gets a GFCI doesn't require AFCI. I wonder if it's even possible to trip an AFCI before a GFCI??

 

AFCI and GFCI look at different characteristics before tripping. The purposes are entirely different.

 

I believe the 2014 NEC requires small appliance branch circuits to be AFCI protected and the small appliance branch circuit receptacles (on those circuits) to be GFCI protected.

I just recently read something on kitchen AFCI requirements on Code Question of the Day and just found it.

http://www.neca-neis.org/cqd/index.c...estion&id=4584

 

I think it highly unlikely that Devin's locale is under the 2008 NEC as Washington state has adopted the 2011 code. It may have also adopted the 2014 code as this state seems to adopt every model code as soon as it is issued. It is more likely that his location simply hasn't updated their municipal code statutes for a long time.

 

I remember something about a change in the 2014 for many circuits but don't remember the specific requirements.

 

According to the website for my city they are still on the 2008 code. I guess I'll find out once I get my inspection on Tuesday.

 

Something that caught my attention that I think Devin is missing here in the replies that he has been given.

He states : If I am interpreting what Devin is saying he is going against code. He ran a new circuit to a 2 gang box (assuming there will be receptacles in this two gang box) and then extending that circuit to another receptacle where he will be plugging in a washing machine. If he is extending the circuit to another receptacle then he is against code because there are more than one receptacle on the laundry circuit.

 

you may have more then one receptacle on the laundry circuit.must all be in laundry

 

The laundry circuit is limited to the laundry area. The code does not require this to only be one receptacle, it just cannot serve other areas.

 

Oh, okay, "my bad". My misinterpretation

 

The proof is in the plural....................

(2) Laundry Branch Circuits. In addition to the number
of branch circuits required by other parts of this section, at
least one additional 20-ampere branch circuit shall be provided
to supply the laundry receptacle outlet(s) required by
210.52(F). This circuit shall have no other outlets.

210.52(F) Laundry Areas. In dwelling units, at least one receptacle
outlet shall be installed for the laundry.