Is it a violation of the National Electric Code to plug a time clock for an irrigation system into the laundry receptacle in a residence? This duplex receptacle is in a garage where the washer and dryer are installed.

210.11(C)(2) says that the laundry branch circuit shall have no other outlets, however it does not say what utilization equipment you can plug into the receptacle(s), we all know what the intent of the article is but how do you prevent them from plugging stuff in after the final inspection

No.

no

Paul C. do you not agree with the Code Question of the Day answer?

210.11 (C) (2) Laundry Branch Circuits. In addition to the number of branch circuits required by other parts of this section, at least one additional 20-ampere branch circuit shall be provided to supply the laundry receptacle outlet(s) required by 210.52(F). This circuit shall have no other outlets.

Do we not allow other outlets in a "laundry room" to be fed from the laundry branch circuit as long as that circuit is not extended out of the "laundry room"?

In the case where the washer is located in a garage then no other outlets would be permitted on the laundry branch circuit as the washer is not in a specific laundry room.

As far as the irrigation timer is concerned, I do not think you can disapprove the inspection, you could only recommend that an additional outlet not on the laundry branch circuit be provided for the irrigation timer.


IMHO
Neal Burdick
City of Tampa
Construction Inspector II

If you say you can't plug in the irrigation timer, would you also say you couldn't plug a radio in the "laundry" receptacle?

No!

As I recall, this question was put before the Florida Chapter and also the various code riders several years ago. The answer of consensus at that time was that a simplex (single outlet receptacle) was to be installed. Nothing in the NECode speaks to allowing a duplex GCO receptacle to be installed with this dedicated circuit.

Dick Widera

210.11(c)(2)


The fact that the code section places a (s) after the word receptacle outlet(s) tells us that more than one receptacle outlet may be used for the laundery circuit. It may have one single receptacle outlet, one duplex receptacle outlet, or 8 duplex receptacle outlets.

To answer Paul - Yes, it is a violation. The code clearly states that the outlet(s) on that specific circuit are to supply laundry only, as Mike points out.

If someone plugs in a radio after the inspector leaves, then that person should receive 20 lashes with a wet noodle, and then slowly be lowered into a large vat of cold, wet noodles. I have caught up with these people from time to time. Now I am hearing rumors that I may be prosecuted for noodle-boarding.

If someone permanently mounts an irrigation timer next to the laundry outlet upon final inspection - yes I would red tag the final - because the general purpose outlet for the sprinkler has not yet been installed. It would require a general purpose (or perhaps dedicated) 120V receptacle as stated by the manufacturers instructions for the timer. Listed or labeled equipment must be used in accordance with any instructions included in the listing or labeling:

110.3(B)

It cannot be on the laundry circuit:

210.11(C)(2)

Next time, builder [his electrical sub] should run a 3-wire to this location (which probably is not far from the panel). The remedy is quite basic. Problem solved.

I have to agree with psnorthrup. The code does not dictate what can or cannot be plugged into the laundry circuit.

Joe, CMP-2 would probably disagree with you in theory. After all, it's the intent of the code that matters:

"Panel Statement: The intent of this section is to require at least one 20-ampere branch-circuit that is dedicated to the laundry area to ensure that the branch circuit is sufficiently sized to supply electrical equipment associated with doing laundry, such as an iron."

Is an irrigation timer associated with doing laundry? I think not.

Humm.
Looking at the two small appliance circuits required you will see similar wording.
So if I set the timer in the kitchen and plug in the power pack to a outlet?
Or for that matter my phone charger,Tom Tom, Laptop,Tv,etc. Which has nothing to do with food prep?

Humm????

I don't believe the original question - was about plugging in portable devices, or a radio, or a night-lite, or a phone charger.

One can cloud the issue 1000 different ways, but the intent of the code is clear and remains the same.