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422.16(B)(2) Flexible Cords. (Appliances)

Revision

Change Summary

  • Maximum length of flexible cord for built-in dishwashers increased from 1.2 m (4 ft) to 2.0 m (6.5 ft) while the receptacle outlet for a built-in dishwasher can only be located in the space adjacent to the dishwasher.
NEC® Text

422.16 Flexible Cords.
(B) Special Appliances.
(2) Built-in Dishwashers and Trash Compactors.
Built-in dishwashers and trash compactors shall be permitted to be cord-and-plug-connected with a flexible cord identified as suitable for the purpose in the installation instructions of the appliance manufacturer where all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The flexible cord shall be terminated with a grounding-type attachment plug.

Exception: A listed dishwasher or trash compactor distinctly marked to identify it as protected by a system of double insulation, or its equivalent, shall not be required to be terminated with a grounding-type attachment plug.

(2) For a trash compactor, Tthe length of the cord shall be 0.9 m to 1.2 m (3 ft to 4 ft) measured from the face of the attachment plug to the plane of the rear of the appliance.
(3) For a built-in dishwasher, the length of the cord shall be 0.9 m to 2.0 m (3 ft to 6.5 ft) measured from the face of the attachment plug to the plane of the rear of the appliance.
(4) Receptacles shall be located to avoid protect against physical damage to the flexible cord.
(5) The receptacle for a trash compactor shall be located in the space occupied by the appliance or adjacent thereto.
(6) The receptacle for a built-in dishwasher shall be located in the space adjacent to the space occupied by the dishwasher.
(7) The receptacle shall be accessible.

Copyright© 2016 National Fire Protection Association
(See NEC for complete text)

Expert Analysis

Changes occurred for the 2017 NEC at 422.16(B)(2) which will only permit the receptacle outlet for a cord-and-plug-connected built-in dishwasher to be located “in the space adjacent to the space occupied by the dishwasher.” In previous editions of the Code, the receptacle outlet for a trash compactor or a built-in dishwasher could be located “in the space occupied by the appliance or adjacent thereto” (directly behind the dishwasher). This change corresponds with provisions in the product standard for household dishwashers, UL 749.

This change brings the NEC in agreement with Section 8.3.3(a) of UL 749 which states in part, “the powersupply receptacle for the appliance (dishwasher) shall be installed in a cabinet or on a wall adjacent to the under counter space in which the appliance is to be installed.

To accommodate this potentially extended length of the cord for connection to a receptacle outlet in the adjacent cabinet space, the maximum length of a cord for a built-in dishwasher was extended from the previous length of 1.2 m (4 ft) to 2.0 m (6.5 ft), measured from the face of the attachment plug to the plane of the rear of the appliance.

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