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Does a washing machine receptacle outlet require GFCI protection?

Sunday, June 24, 2018

Yes, as of the 2017 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC), any receptacles in a laundry room must be GFCI-protected. Although the code does not specifically state that a washing machine receptacle has to be GFCI, the washing machine must have water service and a drain, so its location becomes defined as a laundry. 

    Previously, the laundry was required to have a receptacle on a 20-amp circuit for the washing machine, but it was not automatically necessary for it to be Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protected. There were two scenarios where a GFCI would be required:

  1. If the receptacle was within 6 feet of the top inside edge of a sink, such as an adjacent laundry sink, per National Electrical Code, NEC 210.8(A)(7).
  2. If the laundry receptacle was located in a bathroom or unfinished basement, per 210.8(A)(1) and 210.8(A)(5).


    But, as of when your local jurisdiction adopts the 2017 NEC—which may take several years, all washing machine receptacles must be GFCI-protected. See our blog post Where are GFCI receptacle outlets required? for more code-mandated GFCI locations.

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Here’s links to a collection of our other blog posts about AFCI and GFCI RECEPTACLES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS:

Does a septic pump or sump pump require a GFCI-receptacle?

What is the difference between what trips a GFCI (ground fault) receptacle and a circuit breaker?

Are Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) really necessary and worth the trouble? 

What is the code requirement for GFCI protection for receptacles near a wet bar sink?

When was GFCI-protection for kitchen dishwasher receptacle outlet first required? 

When did arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) breakers first become required?

Does a washing machine receptacle outlet require GFCI protection?

My spa tub stopped working. What's wrong?  

How do I identify a combination AFCI (CAFCI) circuit breaker? 

What does "listed and labeled" mean for an electrical component? 

What electrical hazards does a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) NOT protect against?  

What is the difference between the electric service to a mobile home and a site built home? 

Why is there a wall switch next to the furnace or indoor unit of the air conditioner in the garage?

What is a Dual Function Circuit Interrupter (DFCI)? 

How I can tell if a receptacle outlet is tamper resistant?

What is the difference between a Combination Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (CAFCI) and an Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) circuit breaker?  

What is the difference between "grounded" and "grounding" electrical conductors? 

What does it mean when a wire is "overstripped" at a circuit breaker?

Why is there a GFCI breaker in the electric panel for the bathroom shower light and exhaust fan?

What is the switch on the wall with two pushbuttons? 

How far apart should kitchen counter receptacles be spaced?  

How far above a kitchen countertop do electrical outlets have to be? 

How is it possible to provide both GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) and CAFCI (Combination Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) protection for kitchen and laundry circuits?

My bathroom electric receptacle/outlet is dead and there are no tripped breakers in the electric panel. What's wrong?  

My GFCI reset button is hard to push and won't reset. What's wrong?

Why do some breakers in my electric panel have a "TEST" button on them?

    Visit our AFCI AND GFCI and APPLIANCES pages for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.

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