Kitchen remodel, new dishwasher circuit
What's wrong here?
- The receptacle is behind the dishwasher, not in the adjacent cabinet
- A built-in dishwasher must be hardwired, not cord-and-plug connected
- A dishwasher receptacle may not be GFCI type because of nuisance tripping
- The receptacle must be at least 18 in. above the floor
Show the answer and the code reference
The answer
The dishwasher's receptacle is mounted on the back wall of the dishwasher opening; the Code requires it to be in the space adjacent to the dishwasher.
Correct choice: 1. The receptacle is behind the dishwasher, not in the adjacent cabinet
422.16(B)(2) allows a built-in dishwasher to be cord-and-plug connected, but the receptacle must be located in the space adjacent to the space occupied by the dishwasher (usually the sink base), must be accessible, and must be located to protect the cord from damage. A receptacle behind the dishwasher is inaccessible once the unit is installed, so the plug cannot serve as the disconnect under 422.33(A), and the cord and plug get crushed or pulled when the unit is slid in and out. 210.8 also requires a GFCI device to be in a readily accessible location, and this one cannot be tested or reset without pulling the dishwasher.
How to fix it
Relocate the receptacle into the sink base cabinet next to the opening (GFCI protected, per 210.8(D) and 422.5(A)(7)), pass the cord through a grommeted hole in the cabinet side, and confirm the cord length is 3 ft to 6.5 ft. Alternatively hardwire the dishwasher with a disconnect that meets 422.31.
Code references
NEC 2023 422.16(B)(2) — Built-in Dishwashers and Trash Compactors
Built-in dishwashers may be cord-and-plug connected with a grounding-type plug and a cord 3 ft to 6.5 ft long. The receptacle must be located to protect the cord from physical damage, must be in the space adjacent to the space occupied by the dishwasher (list item (6), since 2017), and must be accessible (item (7)).
Drills citing 422.16(B)(2)NEC 2023 210.8(D) — Specific Appliances
Unless GFCI protection is provided by one of the other methods 422.5(B) allows, the outlets supplying the appliances listed in 422.5(A), which include dishwashers (422.5(A)(7)), must have GFCI protection.
Drills citing 210.8(D)NEC 2023 422.33(A) — Disconnection of Cord-and-Plug-Connected or Attachment Fitting-Connected Appliances
An accessible separable connector, or an accessible plug and receptacle, is permitted to serve as the disconnecting means for a cord-and-plug-connected appliance. Where they are not accessible, a disconnecting means meeting 422.31 must be provided.
Drills citing 422.33(A)
2026 NEC:same rule and number. No 2026 change to the built-in dishwasher cord rules (cord length, adjacent-space and accessible receptacle) turned up in searches; the requirements date to 2017/2020 and appear to carry forward. Not confirmed against the 2026 text. Confidence: low
Minnesota
Minnesota adopts the NEC without section amendments. The 2023 NEC applies to permits filed July 1, 2023 through Aug. 16, 2026, and the 2026 NEC to permits filed on or after Aug. 17, 2026 (Minn. Stat. 326B.35; Minn. Rules 1315.0200; DLI electrical codes and standards page). No Minnesota change to 422.16 or 210.8(D) is known.
How Minnesota adopts the NECWhy the other choices are wrong
- A built-in dishwasher must be hardwired, not cord-and-plug connected. 422.16(B)(2) specifically permits cord-and-plug connection of built-in dishwashers with a 3 ft to 6.5 ft cord.
- A dishwasher receptacle may not be GFCI type because of nuisance tripping. The opposite: the outlet supplying a dishwasher must be GFCI protected (210.8(D), which points to 422.5(A)(7)).
- The receptacle must be at least 18 in. above the floor. There is no mounting-height rule for an appliance receptacle; the issue is which space it is in, not its height.