Summary: Fully Explained Photos and Wiring Diagrams for Laundry Room Electrical Wiring with Code Requirements for most new or remodel projects*.
Check Out What Others Are Sharing at Ask the Electrician: Dave, I really appreciate the ability you give us to ask for help when I'm unsure or just need that extra thought. Mike from Buffalo, New York
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.
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.
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Electrical Project Skill Level:
Intermediate to Advanced - Best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Electrical Tools Required:
Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools and a Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time:
Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools, install electrical circuit wiring, and the available access to the project area. Electrical Safety:
Identify the panel circuits found in the project area, turn them OFF and Tag them with a Note before working with the electrical wiring.
Electrical Wiring Parts and Materials:
Electrical parts and materials for home wiring projects should be approved for the specific project and compliant with local and national electrical codes.
Electrical Codes and Inspections:
Installing additional home electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.
This is a testing tool that 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.
This is great to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring, 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.
A wire stripping tool used 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.
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