Change Summary

• GFCI protection requirements for dwelling units have been expanded
• A new list item (10) dealing with laundry areas has been added to 210.8(A)
• GFCI protection is required for receptacles installed laundry areas of dwelling units

Expert Analysis

Action by Code Making Panel-2 results in a groundfault circuit-interrupter protection (GFCI) requirement for receptacles installed in laundry areas. This change incorporates a new list item (10) in this section that requires GFCI protection for 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere, single-phase receptacles installed in laundry areas. It should be noted that the word “area” is used in list item (10) rather than “room” which necessitates judgment by the authority having jurisdiction as to what constitutes a laundry area. If the laundry equipment is installed in a designated laundry room, all 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere, single-phase receptacles installed in that room would not require GFCI protection, just those located in the laundry area. Obviously if the room is small enough all receptacles would require the GFCI protection. In the panel statement to Comment 2-23, CMP-2 indicated that laundry areas involve electrical appliances and water with a resulting increased risk of electric shock. The panel’s action to require GFCI protection of receptacles in laundry areas addresses this increased risk and is consistent with the GFCI protection of other receptacles in areas near water. It should also be understood that this GFCI protection is required for receptacles in the laundry area, not for appliance(s) for laundry use.