Laundry GFCI Receptacles and Utility and Wet Bar Sink Areas

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