Yes, Elkay water coolers that require power must meet the following specifications:

• Grounded Outlet: The unit must be plugged into a grounded, three-pronged electrical outlet.
• Over-Current Protection: The outlet must be connected to a circuit breaker or fuse to provide over-current protection.
• GFCI Protection: The outlet must have Ground Fault Circuit Interruption (GFCI) protection. GFCI outlets are similar to those found by bathroom sinks, which can be reset if there is a power spike. However, many GFCI (or GFI, or RCD- Residual-Current Device in Europe) outlets do not have an integrated reset button.

In the U.S., Elkay coolers come with a three-pronged plug meant to be connected to the wall. Typically, the outlet is located just below the machine, hidden by the cooler’s metal shroud.

For Elkay units shipped to countries with 220-240 volt power, such as those in Europe, the machines do not come with a cord and plug. This is because Elkay cannot predict the exact destination country, and thus, allows the local contractor to provide a compatible power cord. Occasionally, local distributors may offer the cord as an additional service, but it is not a requirement.

Our sister company in Europe, Bavada, distributes Elkay products throughout France, Germany, the Netherlands, and other European countries. Bavada usually provides a power cord, though this may not always be the case.