How Many Amps Does a Dishwasher Use? 2023 Best Answer

Dishwashers come in various designs and configurations in today’s advanced technological era.

Some are built-in, meaning they are permanently installed in your kitchen space, while others are compact enough to fit on your kitchen countertop. The amount of energy a dishwasher uses is a significant concern, and this is true regardless of the dishwasher being utilized.

Suppose you are looking for an answer to the question “how many amps does a dishwasher use?” because you are either getting a new dishwasher or are concerned about how much electricity you use. We’ve got you taken care of.

The power consumption of a dishwasher is typically between 10 and 15 amps on average. A dishwasher’s power consumption can change depending on the appliance’s brand, manufacturer, and model.

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How Many Amps Does a Dishwasher Draw?

The specific number of amps required by domestic dishwashers is 10. For safety reasons, your circuit breaker should have a higher rating than the current appliance.

Dishwashers for the home are one type of dishwasher, but commercial and industrial dishwashers are constructed differently to accommodate much heavier loads.

Because they are expected to produce greater outputs or work, heavy-duty appliances used in commercial settings require greater power to carry out everyday operations.

Dishwashers designed for residential use are not the same as those used in industrial and commercial settings, requiring a higher current. Depending on the manufacturer, their power output can go as high as 20 amperes. As a result, other components, such as breakers or circuits connected to these machines, also require a higher amperage.

It’s possible that you need to know right away which model of dishwasher you should use or purchase. You can accomplish this by looking for the label or the electrical diagram that is either included in the instruction manual or adhered to the appliance’s exterior. If you want to find out your device’s power requirements, you can look at that section because it contains the essential information you need.

We have provided you with a list of several things to think about before purchasing a dishwasher to determine which kind of dishwasher you should buy.

Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing a Dishwasher

This may assist you in deciding what kind of dishwasher you need, provided that you are already familiar with the space requirements of your home.

You must choose your appliance based on its actual performance and the voltage and amperage requirements required by the brand you have decided to go with. One of the things you need to think about is how well it cleans, how well it dries, how loud it is, how reliable it is, and most importantly, how efficient it is.

The level of cleaning a candidate’s dishwasher can be the primary qualification for that brand. After all, the reason you are shopping for a dishwasher is so that you can use your kitchen utensils in the cleanest possible condition.

After washing and scrubbing, your dishwasher must dry dishes and utensils thoroughly to prevent bacteria growth. It is just as important to dry your utensils after washing them as it is to clean your dishes.

Both efficiency and dependability are inherent qualities of a dependable dishwasher, which must meet specific criteria. Consider the time and energy savings from investing in a dishwasher before making the purchase. The capability of these devices to save time is one of the useful features that makes them so valuable.

Last but not least, one of the aspects you should consider is the detectability of the device you have selected. You’ll be able to live more peacefully and comfortably if you have access to machinery that is both effective and silent in its operation.

When shopping for a dishwasher, one should put the interior design at the very bottom of their priority list.

You should select an appliance that fits your kitchen’s aesthetic and looks appealing to the human eye. Performance should perpetually be the primary focus of attention.

Make it a habit to carefully examine the packaging, so you are not misled. Examine the electrical information or the diagrams, paying close attention to the devices’ inputs and outputs. From there, you should be able to determine the type and quantity of power requirements necessary for your device to operate securely.

Can Your Dishwasher be Plugged Into A Regular Outlet?

If you would instead not hardwire your dishwasher, you can get away with simply plugging it into an outlet nearby as long as specific requirements are satisfied. First, it is essential to ensure that the outlet is not located directly behind the dishwasher or closed. Using any outlets inside the housing that holds the dishwasher is not recommended, and they should be disconnected. Keep in mind that even though dishwashers are built to last, there is always the chance that they will leak. Because that could be dangerous, you do not want water to get past the seals and into a live electrical outlet.

Second, you will need to locate a 120-volt outlet within reach of the pigtail cord that comes with the dishwasher. The best one is the one that is in the cabinet space right next to the housing for the dishwasher. It is acceptable to have one installed if you would like one, but there currently isn’t one. Although residents in some areas may be permitted to handle their internal wiring, this is something that can quickly be taken care of for you by a licensed electrician. If you decide to handle this on your own for the first time, you must conduct extensive research to prevent any significant mishaps or fires from occurring.

Lastly, before plugging in your dishwasher, check to see that the outlet in which you intend to plug it in is a GFCI outlet. Two tiny reset buttons in the middle of the plug openings help you recognize these outlets. These are the types of outlets that the National Electrical Code requires for any outlets installed in or near damp or wet areas. Locations such as the room in which your dishwasher is kept. These outlets automatically cut power at the outlet themselves if they come into contact with liquid, preventing the circuit breaker from being tripped. This prevents any damage to your appliance or wiring that could have occurred.

Circuit Requirement for Dishwashers

It is necessary to have a dedicated circuit to prevent overloading and reduce the associated risks. To put it another way, you shouldn’t mix more than one appliance with the dishwasher to avoid the risk of creating short circuits or running out of power, which could result in personal injury or damage to the components.

Using a dedicated circuit to power your dishwasher and any other high-power-consuming device can help reduce the chance of a fire breaking out in your business or home.

Is It Better to Hardwire or Plug In A Dishwasher?

You should be aware of the benefits and drawbacks of hardwiring a dishwasher to a circuit or using an electrical pigtail cord to plug it into the wall before deciding how to connect your dishwasher to the circuit.

If you choose to hardwire the dishwasher, you must be aware that you will never be able to remove it from its location any further than the length of the cord will permit. To do this, the circuit must first be shut off at the breaker box, and then the power cord from the wall to the dishwasher’s rear must be unplugged. Because removing a dishwasher is only done when the appliance needs to be repaired or replaced, this is not typically a problem for homeowners.

When you plug your dishwasher into an electrical outlet, removing the dishwasher is much simpler and quicker if you use a pigtail cord instead of a standard power cord. However, it also requires a lower-lying 120-volt electrical outlet in the vicinity, preferably located within the lower cabinet on the side of the kitchen where the dishwasher is stored. It is simpler to plug your dishwasher into the outlet if one is available rather than fiddle with hardwiring the cord.

On the other hand, if there isn’t already an outlet, you’ll need to have one wired in for you to use. If there is space available, this is something that a qualified electrician can very quickly do for you. In addition, they will check to ensure that it complies with the most recent version of the National Electrical Code and provide you with an outlet that is GCFI-certified.

Conclusion

Different models of dishwashers have amperage that varies, but to function, most will need approximately the same amount of power from your breaker box. Even though their power consumption will be different, it is still essential that they be on their circuit so that the circuit does not become overloaded. To refresh your memory, it is acceptable to either hardwire the power supply for your dishwasher or plug it into an outlet close by.

However, hardwiring is easier if there isn’t an outlet close by. As a final point of discussion, we have discovered that current electrical codes mandate that each appliance in your kitchen be wired to its separate circuit.

For more details on Amps used by various electric house holds or other electrical components, contact us at ICRFQ. We manufacture the best electrical components in China.