You bought a new dishwasher and you’re unsure if your home’s current electricity setup can handle it. Now you’re wondering, what size breaker for a dishwasher?
Use a 15-amp breaker for dishwasher. Many dishwashers often have amp draws that don’t exceed that amount of electricity draw.
It’s also possible to use other circuit breakers for dishwashers based on the specific setups. But it’s still important to verify essential details like the dishwasher power requirements to prevent accidents and costly mishaps.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Right Dishwasher Breaker Size?
- Should I Replace a 15 Breaker With a 20 Amp Breaker for Dishwasher?
- Can You Have a Dishwasher and Fridge on the Same Circuit?
- Can You Use a Regular Outlet for a Dishwasher?
- Is Hardwired Better Than Plug-in for a Dishwasher?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Does a Dishwasher Need to Be on a GFCI Breaker?
- Conclusion
What Is the Right Dishwasher Breaker Size?
You may decide to use either a dishwasher 15 or 20 amp circuit breaker, and the device should be single-pole. However, you should pay extra care when proceeding with this decision.
Should I Replace a 15 Breaker With a 20 Amp Breaker for Dishwasher?
Improper use of the wrong circuit breaker may result in serious consequences like house fires. It’s because the wiring for the typical 15-amp breaker usually has a safe power draw rating up to that measurement.
So, if you suddenly switch to a 20A breaker and the wiring gathers more electricity than it can handle, it can result in an overloaded circuit.
Can You Have a Dishwasher and Fridge on the Same Circuit?
Another question homeowners often ask is ‘does a dishwasher need a dedicated circuit?’ The answer is most dishwashers should use their own circuit breakers.
On that note, you might also be wondering, what size breaker for dishwasher and disposal? You should use a 20-amp circuit breaker instead of a 15-amp breaker if you want to connect a dishwasher and garbage disposal in one electrical line.
Also, you need to ensure that the disposal unit and dishwasher amp draw doesn’t exceed 80% of the circuit’s maximum amperage rating. Doing so should prevent problems like overloads and short circuits.
Can You Use a Regular Outlet for a Dishwasher?
It’s possible to use a regular outlet (230V) for a dishwasher. But you should first check out the dishwasher electrical requirements before proceeding with this decision. Also, ensure to use the correct breaker size for dishwasher and the right breaker type.
Is Hardwired Better Than Plug-in for a Dishwasher?
A plug-in connection might be better than hard-wiring a dishwasher in certain scenarios. But the opposite might also be true in some setups. Continue reading this section to learn the possible pros and cons of each option:
1. Hardwiring a Dishwasher
Hardwiring a dishwasher means connecting the appliance to a circuit breaker without the need for an additional outlet. Perhaps the major shortcoming of this setup is that you can’t remove the dishwasher easily.
On the other hand, the dishwasher should be on a more secure connection as opposed to plugging it into a wall outlet. This setup also usually demands a GFCI dishwasher circuit breaker.
2. Plugging in a Dishwasher
Also called pig-tailing, plugging in this appliance to a wall outlet or extension cord may not require a GFCI circuit breaker. However, the placing of the wire can become problematic, particularly if the kitchen is a high-traffic area.
This concern might become more apparent if you have to drill a cabinet hole for the plug.
Still, using this method instead of using hardwiring techniques might be ideal for people that want a portable setup for their dishwashers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Dishwasher Need to Be on a GFCI Breaker?
In many cases, it can be a good option to use a GFCI circuit breaker to prevent accidents that might otherwise occur from the surrounding moisture content. Generally, a GFCI breaker is the best choice to prevent unwanted electrical problems with a dishwasher.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve reached the end of this post, you should now have a general idea of what size breaker for a dishwasher to use.
That said, think about consulting with a professional electrician or your home’s electricity diagram before proceeding. This is especially important if your dishwasher doesn’t work well with your current breaker.
I am Edwin Jones, in charge of designing content for Galvinpower. I aspire to use my experiences in marketing to create reliable and necessary information to help our readers. It has been fun to work with Andrew and apply his incredible knowledge to our content.