For a long time the answer to this question was no. Dishwashers were not on the GFCI required list and a lot of electricians wired them that way for years without a second thought. That changed with the 2020 NEC and it is one of those updates that still catches people off guard.
The short answer
Yes. Under the 2020 and 2023 NEC, dishwashers in dwelling units require GFCI protection.
It does not matter whether the dishwasher is cord and plug connected or hardwired directly. Both installations require GFCI protection under the current code.
Where it is in the NEC
The requirement lives in NEC 210.8(D), which covers GFCI protection for dishwashers specifically. It applies to single phase dwelling units and requires GFCI protection for outlets that supply dishwashers installed in dwelling unit locations.
Before the 2020 NEC, dishwashers were not called out in this section. The addition was a deliberate change driven by the fact that dishwashers involve water and electricity in close proximity, which is exactly the scenario GFCI protection is designed for.
Cord and plug vs hardwired
A lot of dishwashers are hardwired, meaning there is no receptacle involved. The wire comes straight out of the wall or floor and connects directly to the dishwasher.
This is where people get confused because GFCI protection is usually associated with receptacles. For a hardwired dishwasher the protection needs to come from a GFCI breaker at the panel since there is no receptacle to put a GFCI device on.
For a cord and plug connected dishwasher you can use a GFCI receptacle under the sink or a GFCI breaker at the panel. Either one satisfies the requirement.
What about existing installations
If you are replacing a dishwasher in an older home that was wired before the requirement existed, you are generally not required to retrofit GFCI protection just to swap the appliance.
But if you are doing new construction, adding a dishwasher circuit where one did not exist before, or doing work that triggers a permit, expect the inspector to want GFCI protection on that circuit if your jurisdiction is on the 2020 or 2023 NEC.
The quick version to remember
- Yes, dishwashers require GFCI protection under the 2020 and 2023 NEC
- The requirement is in NEC 210.8(D)
- Applies to both cord and plug connected and hardwired installations
- Hardwired dishwashers need a GFCI breaker at the panel
- Check what NEC cycle your jurisdiction has adopted
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