Installation of laundry GFCI receptacles and GFCI protection for utility / wet bar sink areas where the electrical outlets are installed within 6ft from the outside edge of the sink is required by the 2008 NEC (National Electrical Code).
GFCI – (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter)
Remember to always upgrade to the latest code requirement, if making any modifications of an older electrical installation (i.e. if replacing and old, regular / not GFCI type electrical outlet in the area where GFCI is currently required, make your life safer – install GFCI receptacle).
Laundry room: You should have a minimum of one dedicated 20-amper rated branch circuit supplying power to the laundry room outlet(s). Dedicated means that there should be no other receptacle outlets supplied by the same circuit (for ironing, switched lighting in the laundry room, or other rooms)
- Laundry equipment outlet should be located within 6ft from the appliances.
This is very important, so you are not going to use any extension cords for that purpose. Extension cords might have lower ratings than the appliance requirement – your washer or dryer might need more current than the extension cord can carry, which condition could overheat the cord and create a fire.
- If you have a sink in a laundry room and its outside edge is within 6″ from any receptacle in this room – that receptacle must be GFCI protected.
Receptacles installed in a laundry room without the sink do not require GFCI protection.
Utility area:
If you have a sink there, any receptacle outlet within 6ft from the sink outside edge must be GFCI protected
Wet bar sink:
It doesn’t matter where the sink is (basement, bedroom, living room, etc.) if you have an electrical outlet within 6ft from the wet bar sink outside edge, it must be GFCI protected.
Washing machine installed in an unfinished basement area without a sink requires GFCI protection (to comply with an unfinished basement outlet GFCI protection requirement).