National Electrical Installation Standards

Standards as High as Your Own

 
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Friday, April 6, 2018

Question:

Do I need to install gfci protection if I replace a dishwasher?  The dishwasher circuit is existing and is a receptacle under the sink next to the dishwasher and met previous editions of the code.

Thanks, Zach

A

Answer:

Hey Zach thanks for your question. Because you are not installing the outlet for the dishwasher the NEC does not specifically require that GFCI protection is provided if a dishwasher is replaced. Keep in mind that the reason GFCI protection was added in 210.8(D) was to reduce the likelihood of fires that resulted from end-of-life failures in household dishwashers. Providing GFCI protection even if not required can help prevent fires at a small cost.

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