The dishwashers we use in our homes today are heavy-duty major household appliances that can offer a decent service life before the need for replacing them arises. In most cases, homeowners will have dishwashers installed during the time of constructing their houses in order to have the appliance hard-wired to the electric circuitry of their home. However, the problem arises when the appliance breaks down and a replacement is needed. Another problem also arises if the dishwashing machine needs to be moved to a different location considering the connection to the home’s electrical circuitry. In those situations, a power cord may be needed for the dishwasher. Some knowledge of basic electrical circuits will be necessary before the homeowner goes ahead to order for the power cord of the dishwasher. But when doing this for the very first time, it will be advisable to seek some help from a professional dishwasher service technician.
Buy the Right Dishwasher Power Cord
Finding the right power cord to buy may sound easier than it really is. There are several considerations you will have to make before placing an order for the power cord. Some essential elements of your house’s electrical circuitry must first be understood. That will help you to get an idea of how the electricity in your home will affect both your dishwasher and the power cord.
Volts
Volts are the units used to measure the voltage that an electrical system utilizes for sending current into an appliance like your dishwasher that is connected through the power cord to the electrical power outlet. In the US, the two voltage systems that are commonly used include the 120v and 240v systems. Voltage is like the pressure that pushes electrons to flow in an electrical circuit, so it causes current, the flow of those electrons. Higher voltage supply means more current, but each appliance is designed and rated for more specific amounts of voltage and current, so you need to buy a power cord that can handle that to be suitable for your appliance.
Amps
Amps are the units for measuring how much current is flowing into your dishwasher circuit from the power outlet. You will need a power cord with a rating of the same amps or more as your dishwasher’s electronic circuit that it will be connected to. Major appliances typically run with circuits on 20, 50 or even 60 amps, while small appliances will require 15 or 20 amps. You have to ensure you match the amps that your dishwasher requires to that of the power cord you want to order.
Watts
A dishwasher or any other appliance requires a certain amount of power to function at nominal capacity, and that power is usually measured in terms of watts. You can quickly determine the amount of power (watts) needed to run your dishwasher by simply multiplying its rated voltage (volts) by its current (amps). For example, if the dishwasher uses the 120v circuit system with 10 amps, it will require 1,200 watts of power for efficient operation.
Breakers
Circuit breakers are devices used in electrical circuits for protection against shorting and overloading. Immediately a circuit breaker detects a sudden surge in voltage, it usually trips and cuts off the supply of power to the circuits. That is the mechanism through which the circuit breaker protects the home wiring, your dishwasher, other appliances and electronics from damage that may be caused by sudden voltage spikes. Electrical damage from sudden spikes can potentially cause overheating and fires, so circuit breakers are necessary to prevent that. When you attempt dishwasher repair without the help of professional appliance service technicians, the circuit breaker will also be important.
Correct Plug Type
Heavy duty home appliances like your dishwasher in most cases will use 15-amps three-prong power cord. That includes a center prong for the ground plug to prevent electric shock that may result from short-circuits or loose wires inside devices. It is important to ensure you buy a power cord with 3 prongs for your dishwasher or other major household appliances. The distance between your dishwasher and the wall is another important aspect to be considered. You may need for some units 90-degree plugs that align flat to the wall which makes it possible for the appliance to fit into its place.
Selecting the Right Wire Gauge
The gauge of a wire is another important factor to consider because it determines the amount of voltage and current that can be safely conveyed through the wire to the appliance. The American Wire Gauge (AWG) system is used for sizing the wires, with the wire gauge numbers increasing as the wire diameters decrease. Large appliances require low gauge (thicker) wires that can convey more volts and amps. Using high gauge wires may result in overheating and melting of the wires that can cause fires. You may need a 12-gauge wire for your dishwasher because that wire can manage up to 41 amps of current, instead of the higher 16-gauge wire that can only manage up to 22 amps. If it is not easy for you to determine the right wire gauge in your residential setting, it is advisable to get the help of a professional dishwasher repair technician.
We have highly trained and experienced appliance repair technicians that service all the major appliances in Broward County and nearby communities:
Tamarac, Hallandale, Deerfield Beach, Weston, Hollywood, Miramar, Coral Springs, Lauderhill, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, North Lauderdale, Sunrise, Oakland Park, Lauderdale Lakes, Parkland, Margate, Lighthouse Point, Pembroke Pines, Dania, Cooper City, Coconut Creek, Plantation, Pompano Beach, Orlando