Washing machine located within 6' of service panel.

[Nate Postrech]

hello,
i was wondering why a washing machine would be located about 4' from the electric service panel. how can this be code? any input is greatly appreciated!

-nate-

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[Billy Stephens]

As long as the working space (30" wide and 36" deep) is not violated it's NEC compliant.

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see link How Much Working Space Is Enough? | Don’t assume orking space applies in all situations | Code Basics content from Electrical Construction and Maintenance (EC and M) Magazine
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[Nate Postrech]

thanks for your responses! i feel my question may need some more explanation. the NEC requires a GFCI outlet if it is located within 6' of a water source (i'm pretty sure we all know this). however, in this situation, the entire service panel is within 6' of a water source. and not just any water source, but one that has a tendency to spring a leak from time to time (i assume that's why they came out with the "no burst" supply lines for washing machines).

[Nate Postrech]

It doesn't really matter where GFCI protection is required elsewhere in the NEC. In this instance the only requirement for the panel adjacent to the WM is working clearance. They could be right next to each other. Just for clarity, not every receptacle within 6' of a sink requires GFCI protection.

thanks! i guess that's why i can't find any information on the subject.

[Billy Stephens]

That's a good article, but is it directly related to the single service panel adjacent to the washing machine in the OP or were you simply providing it for reference? Given the title of the article I'm not sure.

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see figure 1 in the link
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[Billy Stephens]

This one?

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.......
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[Brad Richter]

It doesn't really matter where GFCI protection is required elsewhere in the NEC. In this instance the only requirement for the panel adjacent to the WM is working clearance. They could be right next to each other. Just for clarity, not every receptacle within 6' of a sink requires GFCI protection.

Please list the exceptions to the 6' sink rule for residential installations.

[ken horak]

Please list the exceptions to the 6' sink rule for residential installations.

210.8 Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for Personnel. Ground-fault circuit-interruption for personnel shall be provided as required in 210.8(A) through (C). The
ground-fault circuit-interrupter shall be installed in a readily accessible location.

Informational Note: See 215.9 for ground-fault circuit interrupter
protection for personnel on feeders.

(A) Dwelling Units. All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20- ampere receptacles installed in the locations specified in 210.8(A)(1) through (8) shall have ground-fault circuit interrupter protection for personnel.

(1) Bathrooms

(2) Garages, and also accessory buildings that have a floor located at or below grade level not intended as habitable rooms and limited to storage areas, work areas,
and areas of similar use

(3) Outdoors

Exception to (3): Receptacles that are not readily accessible
and are supplied by a branch circuit dedicated to
electric snow-melting, deicing, or pipeline and vessel heating
equipment shall be permitted to be installed in accordance
with 426.28 or 427.22, as applicable.

(4) Crawl spaces — at or below grade level

(5) Unfinished basements — for purposes of this section, unfinished basements are defined as portions or areas of the basement not intended as habitable rooms and limited to storage areas, work areas, and the like

Exception to (5): A receptacle supplying only a permanently installed fire alarm or burglar alarm system shall not be required to have ground-fault circuit-interrupter
protection.
Informational Note: See 760.41(B) and 760.121(B) for power
supply requirements for fire alarm systems.
Receptacles installed under the exception to
210.8(A)(5) shall not be considered as meeting the
requirements of 210.52(G).

6) Kitchens— where the receptacles are installed to serve the counter top surfaces

(7) Sinks — located in areas other than kitchens where receptacles are installed within 1.8 m (6 ft) of the outside edge of the sink

(8) Boathouses

I put the exceptions in red for you.
You will notice I underlined a section in #6 as the way it is worded it opens the door for a receptacle to be within 6' of a Kitchen sink and NOT be GFCI protected. GFCI protection is only required if the receptacle is installed to serve the counter top.

[Brad Richter]

210.8 Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for Personnel. Ground-fault circuit-interruption for personnel shall be provided as required in 210.8(A) through (C). The
ground-fault circuit-interrupter shall be installed in a readily accessible location.

Informational Note: See 215.9 for ground-fault circuit interrupter
protection for personnel on feeders.

(A) Dwelling Units. All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20- ampere receptacles installed in the locations specified in 210.8(A)(1) through (8) shall have ground-fault circuit interrupter protection for personnel.

(1) Bathrooms

(2) Garages, and also accessory buildings that have a floor located at or below grade level not intended as habitable rooms and limited to storage areas, work areas,
and areas of similar use

(3) Outdoors

Exception to (3): Receptacles that are not readily accessible
and are supplied by a branch circuit dedicated to
electric snow-melting, deicing, or pipeline and vessel heating
equipment shall be permitted to be installed in accordance
with 426.28 or 427.22, as applicable.

(4) Crawl spaces — at or below grade level

(5) Unfinished basements — for purposes of this section, unfinished basements are defined as portions or areas of the basement not intended as habitable rooms and limited to storage areas, work areas, and the like

Exception to (5): A receptacle supplying only a permanently installed fire alarm or burglar alarm system shall not be required to have ground-fault circuit-interrupter
protection.
Informational Note: See 760.41(B) and 760.121(B) for power
supply requirements for fire alarm systems.
Receptacles installed under the exception to
210.8(A)(5) shall not be considered as meeting the
requirements of 210.52(G).

6) Kitchens— where the receptacles are installed to serve the counter top surfaces

(7) Sinks — located in areas other than kitchens where receptacles are installed within 1.8 m (6 ft) of the outside edge of the sink

(8) Boathouses

I put the exceptions in red for you.
You will notice I underlined a section in #6 as the way it is worded it opens the door for a receptacle to be within 6' of a Kitchen sink and NOT be GFCI protected. GFCI protection is only required if the receptacle is installed to serve the counter top.

Totally false if a recep is within 6 of a sink, countertop or not.
Edit: I guess 210.8(A)(7) is subject to interpretation. We intrepret it to include any readily accessible receptacle in a kitchen within 6' of the sink.

[Jim Port]

Totally false if a recep is within 6 of a sink, countertop or not.
Edit: I guess 210.8(A)(7) is subject to interpretation. We intrepret it to include any readily accessible receptacle in a kitchen within 6' of the sink.

If the receptacle does not serve the countertop like one behind a refrigerator next to a sink, there is no GFI protection required. Also receptacles more than 20" above a countertop do not require GFI, nor do any under the sink like for a disposal or dish washer.

[Brad Richter]

If the receptacle does not serve the countertop like one behind a refrigerator next to a sink, there is no GFI protection required. Also receptacles more than 20" above a countertop do not require GFI, nor do any under the sink like for a disposal or dish washer.

Thanks, Jim, I am aware of those. What would you say about a recep located in a wall in the kitchen, 18" off the floor but within 6' of the kitchen sink?

[Jim Port]

As it is not for the countertop, no GFI protection required.

I think it might if it was within 6' of a wet bar, but not in the kitchen. This might have been an upcoming change.