You bought a brand-new dishwasher but you do not have any idea how many amps does a dishwasher use? Well, most household dishwashers use 10 amps of current, depending on the brand.
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How Many Amps Does a Dishwasher Draw
Household dishwashers use 10 amps of power, mostly. Having said that, your breaker should be on a higher rating than the appliance being used for safety purposes.
Aside from household dishwashers, there are also industrial and commercial dishwashers that are built differently for much heavier loads.
Heavy-duty appliances used commercially need a higher amount of power for normal operation because they are expected to produce larger outputs or work.
Unlike household dishwashers, industrial and commercial dishwashers are expected to run on a higher current requirement. They can reach up to 20-amp of power, depending on the brand. Therefore, other components like breakers or circuits that are connected to these machines also need higher amperage.
You may want to know immediately what kind of dishwasher you should use or buy. To do that, you may look for the label or the electrical diagram found in the manual or pasted on the surface of the appliance. There, you will find the most basic details you should need if you want to know the power requirement of your device.
To know which dishwasher type you should be picking, we listed several factors to consider before choosing your dishwasher.
Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing a Dishwasher
Provided that you are already aware of your house’s space requirements, this may help you to choose what kind of dishwasher you need.
Aside from the voltage and amperage requirements of your chosen brand, it is also imperative that you choose your appliance according to its actual performance. One of the things you should consider is the performance in the following aspects: cleaning, drying, noise, reliability and most of all, its efficiency.
Cleaning performance should be the prior qualification for your candidate brand of dishwasher. After all, you are choosing a dishwasher to let you use your household utensils in their cleanest state.
After cleaning your dishes and utensils thoroughly, your dishwasher must dry your plates completely to prevent bacteria from growing on them. Drying your utensils is as important as cleaning your dishes as well.
Reliability and efficiency come together because an efficient dishwasher is always reliable. Before buying a dishwasher, for sure, you should think of the convenience it brings. One of the valuable features is the time-saving capabilities of these devices.
Lastly, among the aspects that you should consider is the noticeability of your chosen device. A machine that can work efficiently and quietly can help you live in comfort, away from unnecessary noises.
The last thing one should consider when choosing a dishwasher is the interior design.
You may want to pick a device that complements your kitchen appearance or looks pleasing to your eye. That said, performance should always be the number one priority.
For you not to be fooled, make sure you always check the label. Check the electrical information or the diagrams, especially the inputs and outputs of the devices. From there, you may know what and how much power requirement your device will need to operate safely.
Breaker Requirement for Dishwasher
One thing to consider is what size breaker for a dishwasher do you need to sustain the power of dishwashers according to their sizes, function, and electrical requirement.
When talking technically, how many amps does a dishwasher draw differs from how many amps a breaker connected to that dishwasher needs.
You may want to keep in your mind that breakers differ from one another in terms of power and voltage rating. If you have trouble understanding what amp or how many amps you should use, consult your trusted, licensed, or experienced electrician.
In general, dishwasher breaker size must be tailored to and exceed the dishwasher’s electrical requirements (NEC’s 80% rule) to avoid overloading.
Circuit Requirement for Dishwashers
A dedicated circuit is required to avoid overloading, mitigating risks associated with it. In other words, you should not combine two different appliances with the dishwasher to avoid short circuits and power shortages that may cause injuries or damage to appliances or their components.
Using a designated circuit to run your dishwasher, just like any other high-power-consuming appliance, may save your establishment or your house by mitigating the risk and fire hazards.
Risk of Improper Power Rating Connection
All electrical devices come with different power ratings according to their uses. For a dishwasher with a 10 amp power requirement, it is improper to use a much lower-power rating circuit or one with the same rating as the appliance.
Household dishwashers are expected to be ranging from 10 to 15 amperes. Therefore, the circuit where dishwashers should be attached will range from 15-20 amps.
This is to avoid overloading and short circuit or possible damage that can happen within your appliance’s components or even injuries such as electrocution that may lead to death. Usually, fire is the most common result of this mishap.
Before connecting your dishwasher, make sure that there is no leakage on the surface of the appliance where water may emanate. Water damage may also inflict electrical problems that may cause harm to you or your device.
Remember that water is also a conductor of electricity, so there is a tendency for electricity to flow and unnoticeably reach you.
Understanding Your Appliances
Although knowing the limitation of your appliance is mainly for safety reasons, it is also true that choosing the right equipment and proper components for your appliance will keep your financial expenses from growing by avoiding the replacement to damaged components.
Dishwashers are somehow a little bit more complicated than other appliances because the method of wiring differs with respect to the model.
But do not be afraid to try some DIY work because it is generally safe to install your own dishwasher, as long as you know how to follow the given instructions in the manual of the manufacturer. These resources can be usually found along with the device.
Dishwasher electrical requirements are also a common topic among buyers or homeowners. If you’re struggling to understand your dishwasher power requirements, including the dishwasher amps and voltage, search for buyers’ forums and reviews from those who use the same appliance.
Always remember that the dishwasher amperage requirement of your chosen brand should not exceed your circuit rating if you already installed your breaker.
Conclusion
After reading this article, you now know how many amps does a dishwasher use.
To reiterate, household dishwashers mostly use 10 amps of power, while commercial or industrial dishwashers run on a higher amp requirement because of their heavy-duty outputs.
If you find it hard to determine how many amps you should use, here are the things you should do:
- Read and examine the dishwasher’s manual carefully
- Check your electrical connection
- Call your trusted or experienced electrician to do the job for you
I am Andrew Wright. With 8 years of experience designing, installing, and maintaining electrical power systems. I love my job, and I have always wanted to offer others the necessary help so they can take care of their houses.