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In this Nanaimo home renovation, VanIsle Electrical handled a precise laundry room electrical rough-in and utility box installation to support high-efficiency washers and dryers. The setup featured a recessed white plastic washer box (6x8 inches) mounted at 48 inches for optimal access, with quarter-turn shut-off valves for hot water (red handle) and cold water (blue/white handle) connected via PEX tubing. A central PVC drain pipe with trap ensured effective wastewater handling, while a low-level mud ring (4 inches diameter) prepared for dedicated electrical outlets.
From an electrical standpoint, we installed dedicated circuits per 2025 CEC guidelines: a 30A 240V circuit using 10/3 NM cable for the dryer (NEMA 14-30R receptacle) and a 20A 120V circuit with 12/2 NM cable for the washer (NEMA 5-15R outlet), complete with GFCI protection for wet areas. This complies with expanded GFCI requirements in laundry rooms to prevent shocks, even without a sink nearby. Diagnostics revealed potential overload risks from outdated wiring, which we fixed by pulling new Romex from the main panel, adding AFCI breakers for fire prevention, and ensuring proper grounding (CEC Rule 10-612). The result: A energy-efficient system reducing bills by up to 20% through compatibility with BC Hydro rebates, all completed in 4-8 hours with minimal disruption.
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Component |
Description & Structure |
Materials & Tools |
Electrical Specs & CEC Compliance |
|---|---|---|---|
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Recessed Washer Box
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6x8-inch white ABS plastic enclosure wall-mounted to studs at 48 inches, integrating plumbing valves and drain for appliance access.
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ABS plastic, screws, drywall saw, pipe cutters.
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Adjacent to electrical rough-in; supports wet location rules (CEC Section 26).
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Hot/Cold Water Valves
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Quarter-turn brass shut-offs (red for hot, blue/white for cold) for quick isolation, connected to home plumbing stack.
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SharkBite fittings, 1/2-inch PEX tubing, wire strippers (for adjacent wiring).
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Ensures balanced flow for energy-efficient washers.
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Central Drain Pipe
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1.5-2 inch Schedule 40 PVC with trap/vent for wastewater, preventing backups in utility areas.
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PVC glue, fittings; multimeter for nearby electrical checks.
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integral to safe electrical proximity in wet zones.
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Electrical Rough-In Mud Ring
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4-inch circular metal/plastic frame below box for outlet prep, aligned with studs.
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Mud ring, Romex cable; voltage tester.
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Dedicated 240V/120V circuits; GFCI/AFCI required per 2025 updates for laundry rooms.
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Wiring & Circuits
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Branch circuits from panel to outlets, with voltage drop calculations for efficiency.
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10/3 NM for dryer, 12/2 NM for washer; Siemens/Square D breakers.
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30A dryer (NEMA 14-30R), 20A washer (5-15R); dedicated per CEC for appliances.
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Safety Features
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GFCI testers, arc-fault interrupters, surge protectors, and metallic bonding.
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Sealed conduits, green grounding wire.
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Expanded GFCI in laundry (within 1.5m of sink); AFCI for faults.
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Smart Integrations
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Optional Wi-Fi outlets for remote monitoring, compatible with Google Home/Alexa.
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Low-voltage wiring, USB add-ons.
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Ties into smart home services; energy audits for BC Hydro rebates.
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