Electrical Wiring for a Laundry Room

Summary: Fully Explained Photos and Wiring Diagrams for Laundry Room Electrical Wiring with Code Requirements for most new or remodel projects*.
© By: Dave Rongey

How to Install Laundry Room Electrical Wiring

DIY Electrical Wiring Video

Wire a Dryer Cord and Outlet

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Considerations to help determine the required circuits for your Laundry Room

The first consideration will be your clothes dryer, will it be be Gas or Electric?

The electric clothes dryer will require a dedicated 30 Amp 4-Wire Circuit. Is the laundry room equipped with an area to iron clothes? If so a 20 Amp circuit should be installed as well. If the laundry room does not have a window, then an exhaust fan will be required along with a switch. Occupancy controlled lighting will be required too.

See the NEC Code requirements in the table below for more specific information.

Laundry Room Electrical Code Requirements
The Electrical Code requires that outlets within six feet of the laundry or utility sink must be GFCI protected. Important Factor: Find out if the Main Service or the Panel that will supply the home electrical wiring for laundry room equipment circuits has adequate load capacity and space for the circuits and breakers.

Laundry Room Blueprint and Wiring Design Layout

Home electrical wiring for laundry room electrical codes

All lighting must be either: all florescent, or provide a "manual-on occupancy sensor"

All room exhaust fans shall provide a min of 5 Air Exchanges Per Hour.

One outlet on a separate 20 amp circuit must be provided and be within 6 feet of the intended location of the laundry washing machine appliance.

A GFCI is required for all 120 volt receptacles installed within 6 feet of sinks for the home electrical wiring for laundry room. Receptacles installed for a dedicated purpose, such as clothes washer may have a receptacle which is not protected by GFCI.

Provide a 4-wire outlet for the electric dryer.

Electrical Circuit Wiring for the Laundry Room

Clothes Washer	Dryer Wiring	Exhaust Fan	Fluorescent Lighting	Utility Sink

Dryer Cords	120 Volt Outlet	Light Switch	Occupancy Sensor	GFCI Outlet

Laundry Room 120 and 240 Volt Electrical Circuits to Consider

120 volt devices

Washing Machine
Lighting
Under Cabinet Lighting
Exhaust Fan
Ironing Board

240 volt equipment

Clothes Dryer

NEC Code graphics provided by Mike Holt Enterprises.

Questions about Wiring a Laundry Room

Options for Installing Exhaust Fans

Dear ask-the-electrician: I am interested in installing the Air King BFQ50 into an Andy Gump Outhouse...for a client who does not wish to have the various construction workers destroy her bathroom again. I don't have access to a hard-line and i was hoping that you would be able to tell me how to convert this unit into a wall plug outlet set up...2 prong or 3... please let me know Thank you and best to you! Rich

Hi Rich, it may be possible to install surface conduit down to a wall outlet that is equipped with an extension box. This could get the power up to the unit, and you could run the power through a occupancy sensor as well. Another option is to install a solar exhaust fan with the small solar panel mounted on the roof. These units work well too, and end up paying for the initial cost, and then run for FREE! More about Solar Exhaust fans: https://ask-the-electrician.com/solarexhaustfansmain.html

Sharing an Outlet for a New Washing Machine

Jeff, from Eureka, California asks:
In my garage there is a single 20 amp outlet which is for plugging in a gas dryer. I have a new large energy efficient washer my question is can I put a 3 way plug in on that single 20 amp so I can run my washer and dryer at the same time?

Jeff,
Sharing this outlet with the new energy efficient washer and the gas dryer would depend on two things. First, is the outlet on a dedicated circuit that is not shared with any other outlets or devices. Secondly, what are the specifications of the new energy efficient washing machine as far as watts or amperage required. Knowing the limitations of the outlet circuit or available power, and knowing the total required watts or amps of both the washer and the dryer will determine if this is possible or if a new circuit for the washing machine will be required.

Home Electrical Wiring

Wire a GFCI Outlet without a Ground Wire

Helping You Wire it Right

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Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
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Perfect for Homeowners, Students and Electricians
Includes:
Home Electrical Wiring - Room by Room
120 Volt Circuits
240 Volt Circuits
Multi-Wired Circuits
Wiring Methods for Installing Home Electrical Circuit Wiring
Electrical Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
....and much more.

« Home Office Electrical Wiring

Garage Electrical Wiring »

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right

The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!

The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.

The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!

The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.

Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!

The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..

The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.

Residential Electrical Parts and Accessories

Light Switches

120volt Outlets

Circuit Breakers

Electrician Tools

Voltage Testers

More about: Laundry electrical

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Electrical Wiring for a Laundry Room
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Circuit Breakers and Electrical Wiring Safety
Electrical Circuit Requirements for a Dream House
Will a Laundry Unit Work with the Outlet in Our Apartment?
Causes Of Electrical Shock in Homes
Are You Doing Your Electrical Wiring Project Right?

Laundry Room and Dryer Electrical Wiring