There shall be a minimum of one ____ ampere branch circuit for the laundry receptacle outlet in a dwelling unit.

• A. 15 amps
• B. 20 amps
• C. 25 amps
• D. 30 amps

Answer: (B)

Laundry receptacle outlets in a dwelling must have enough capacity to handle a washer’s startup surge and normal operating draw. The code requires a 20-amp branch circuit for that laundry receptacle, which provides the needed headroom and matches the standard 12 AWG wiring used for these circuits. A 15-amp circuit can trip frequently under load, and 25-amp or 30-amp circuits aren’t used for typical 120-volt laundry outlets in homes. So the minimum and appropriate choice is a 20-amp circuit.