Does A Laundry Require A Dedicated Circuit?

ChuckEA

I have a customer that is relocating their washer and gas dryer to the closet adjacent to their master bath. The closet area doesn't have power now, but I could tap into the GFCI circuit in the bath. However, doesn't the laundry require a dedicated 20A circuit to meet code?

Speedy Petey

Yes it does.
Not only that but it is against code, and a very bad idea, to tap into the bath receptacle circuit. Especially for a laundry.

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Bkessler

If a handy man is asking questions like this It makes me wonder.I have first year apprentices smarter than that.......................go wings

ChuckEA

Speedy - thanks for answering my question

Kessler - You might also want to read my earlier post about the "light fixture with no junction box". The homeowner told me that little bit of nifty work was done by a licensed master electrician. Now, that makes me wonder!

stars13bars2

Chuck
I am told on a very regular basis about how qualified, experienced and licensed the guy was that was there before me. I don't know if they are trying to convince themselves of this, because they are surely not convincing me. If he were even qualified, I would not be there in the first place because my fixing what he couldn't is never free. Oh, one of the best ones is he is just too busy to come back.

Bkessler

What he said.

logical

He's coming here asking a question about something he suspects but isn't sure about....because he wants to do it right. seems pretty smart to me. Knowing when and who to ask is the next best thing to knowing it all....you know, like a licensed guy.

Mike Finley

Chuck - here are some other "codes" as required here, straight out of my contractor's bible.

• 25 foot run for the vent 4 inch minimum each elbow counts as 5 feet.
• Cannot vent into the garage
  
• 4 wire 220 receptacle for dryer, no stealing of grounds, ran back to box.
  
• GFCI required for any plugs within 6 feet of edge of laundry sink.
  
• Washer drain minimum 2 inches.
  
• Anti water hammers on h & c lines.
• Washer—dedicated 20 amp line.

ChuckEA

OK, so at the risk of asking a stupid question, if a gas dryer is being installed, must there be 2 dedicated 20 amp circuits? One for the washer and another for the dryer?

Glasshousebltr

The dryer would be 220 and the washer 110. I guess the answers yes oh seed of chucky.

Bob

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Bob

ChuckEA

Why would I need 220? It is a gas dryer

Glasshousebltr

Rutt Row..........One circuit then.....I see how you are.

Bob

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Bob

jbfan

They can be connected to the same circuit!

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We are the people (our parents warned us about) (Jimmy Buffett)

Square-One

Laundry: (1 gas dryer) + (1 washer) = 1 duplex 20 amp receptacle, run in 12 gauge cu., 20 amp breaker. This WILL be a dedicated circuit!!!!

Even if you go with a 240V electric dryer, the laundry receptacle is still dedicated and NO other equipment shall be served by it!!!

If you have a NEC (National Electrical Code) Book, look at Article-210.11(c)2.....

Hope this helps answer any ?'s. This is what an electrical inspector will look for and what he will expect to see!!

Speedy Petey

Just to throw some more confusion into things.

Of course, this circuit can serve any other receptacles IN the laundry area.
"Laundry" is NOT specifically only the washer and dryer.

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MinConst

Speedy,
Not meant to high jack this thread but... In a kitchen with a Microwave, fridge, garbage disposal, and a Dish Washer and 3 duplex back splash outlets. What can be shared and what cannot. I know the fridge needs to be alone but what about the rest?

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Paul
Minichillo's Construction
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I will never leave you hanging!

jbfan

Depending on local codes, the NEC allows the fridge and microwave to share the kitchen circuits. The GD, and DW may not. Most of the local codes in my area require the fridge to be a dedicated circuit. The micro may use the kitchen circuits unless it is a built in unit, then dedicated.

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bmartin

Minconst
We install 2 circuits for the DW/GD to a duplex plug. The fridge, and microwave get there own circuit. The fridge so nothing trips it and spoils your food and the microwave because they draw so much power. And you have to have min. 2 small appliance circuits to your counter area. I believe these 2 circuits can serve the fridge and microwave if you want (depending on local code) but I think most would agree that it's not a good idea.

Speedy Petey

Exactly what jb said, and also bmartin.
The exact code is usually different from what most of us do every day. The kitchen is a prime example.

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CGofMP

Interesting this should be mentioned...
Situation: Am planning on installing a laundry sink/tub next to the washer and drier in the garage. It appears the drain pipe was roughed in when the home was built but not the H/C water lines.

Currently there is a single plug outlet that serves the washer about 4 feet from where the sink would be. This plug serves only the washer.

In addition there is the 220 outlet for the drier, again probably within 5 feet of where the tub will be.

So to be up to code, if I put in the laundry tub would I have to switch over the plug/outlet that serves the washer to gfci despite the fact that it is likely to be used for nothing else and is a single plug outlet?

Okay now the STUPID question - does this apply to the 220 outlet for the drier? IE: If I put in a lauundry tub within those few feet of the drier plug am I supposed to have GFCI on THAT?

Gonna show my real ignorance here and say I have never heard of a 220 gfci plug.


I know what is there could be grandfathered in right? But at the same time I perfer to be up to code if at all possible.

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