I pulled some really old and rigged-up shady wiring out of my laundry room and replaced it. It was a two-wire 15 amp line to a 15-amp breaker. On it were two GFI (possibly GFCI) outlets. One was used for the washer and dryer and the other wasn't being used. I removed the second outlet and old wiring connecting it and hooked up the GFI for the washer/dryer to a new 14 gauge grounded line to the same 15 amp breaker. It's now the only thing on the circuit.
I've been told that the washer and dryer should be hooked up to a 20-amp line. Is that really necessary for a gas dryer? The main draw on the power is coming from the motors in the washer and dryer. In the 4 years or so we've been in the house, the breaker has never tripped. I'm considering adding one more outlet to the circuit for recharging a hand vac and maybe a CO/gas detector. Is it possible I'll start having issues if I do that while the washer and dryer are running?
Best Answer
According to the National Electrical Code, yes it should be a 20 ampere branch circuit. This circuit should also not have any other outlets, other than the ones for "laundry equipment".
So keep the 15 ampere circuit for your general use receptacles, and run a new 20 ampere circuit for the "laundry equipment".
Also note that the receptacles in the laundry area must be GFCI and AFCI protected (210.8(A)(10), 210.12(A)), as well as tamper resistant (406.12(A)).