How to connect a top-loading washing machine?

After purchasing a new washing machine, people wonder whether they can save money and connect the equipment to the communications themselves, or will they have to call a technician? In fact, anyone can do the installation; you just need to follow the instructions and follow the safety rules. Let's look at the nuances of the upcoming procedure.

Where to put the equipment?

Connecting a top-loading washing machine begins with determining where to place the machine. It is very important to think through this point. The equipment is connected to the pipes, so changing its location in the future will be problematic.

It is desirable that communications be located in close proximity to the installation site of the automatic machine.

The most suitable option for placing a top-loading machine is considered to be a bathroom or bathroom. Also, many users install washing machines in the kitchen, but in the case of a “vertical” one, you should understand that it will not be possible to hide it under the countertop. In these rooms, you can easily connect the device to sewerage, water supply and electricity.

If desired, the machine can be placed in the hallway or in the pantry. However, then the connection will be complicated by the remoteness of communications. You will have to lengthen the drain and fill hoses of the washer.

Another important point is that the floor covering under the automatic machine must be smooth and durable. This will ensure greater stability of the equipment. It is better to place the “home assistant” on tiles or concrete. Laminate is undesirable, since it can “swell” at the first leak.

We organize power supply

When you decide to connect the washing machine yourself, it is important to familiarize yourself with the electrical safety rules. Most automatic machines are characterized by high energy consumption - about 1.5-2.5 kW. In addition, the device comes into contact with water every time it is washed.

Therefore, when connecting an automatic machine to the power supply, it is important to follow several basic rules.

• Separate meals must be arranged. To fulfill this condition, you will have to “lay” a separate line from the electrical panel to the machine. When the wires are still running after repairs, you can “hide” them in special plastic boxes. This way you won’t spoil the appearance of the room.
• Be sure to add a residual current device to the circuit. It will protect the device from voltage surges and respond urgently to an electricity leak. The sensor is installed in the distribution panel.
• It is necessary to use electrical circuits that are suitable for automatic machines in all respects. For example, it is recommended to use three-core wires with a cross-section of one and a half square meters. mm.
• It is important to connect the outlet according to the diagram. The presence of a grounding wire is required, which is connected to the corresponding bus in the distribution panel.

Another important nuance is the choice of outlet. It is recommended to use moisture-resistant models with spring-loaded contacts. Such devices have a protective cover that prevents water from getting inside.

It is forbidden to connect the washing machine to the network via an extension cord - this is unsafe.

We provide water supply to the machine

Before you begin installing the machine yourself, make sure that this does not void the warranty. Many manufacturers make a requirement that the washing machine must be connected by a certified technician, otherwise if the equipment breaks down, the owner will not be able to count on free repairs. After weighing all the pros and cons, make a decision.

To begin with, the user should figure out what basic rules need to be followed. It is imperative that:

• the pressure in the water supply was at least 1 atmosphere. If the indicator is lower, installation of an additional pump will be required;
• the water was of good quality. In Europe, standards for the purity of tap water are very different from Russian ones, so it is better to install an additional filter in front of machines from foreign manufacturers (Bosch, Samsung, Electrolux, Mile, Ardo).

If there was already a washing machine in the chosen place, then connecting a new “vertical” will not be difficult. All output points have already been organized, which means that it will be enough to connect the device hoses to them and fix the joints. It will be more difficult if the machine is installed for the first time.

To connect the SMA to the water supply, you can use a crimp coupling or fitting.

The coupling is mainly used for old, cast iron pipes. It makes it possible to install a shut-off valve, which is designed to regulate the water supply to the equipment. The included flexible tube is connected at one end to the tap, and at the other end to the inlet hose of the washing machine.

The fitting is used for communications made of metal-plastic. The tee is mounted in the pipe, and the inlet hose of the automatic machine is connected to its outlet through the shut-off valve. Before starting the installation, it is important not to forget to turn off the cold water supply to the apartment.

There are models of machines with vertical loading that are connected to hot water supply. In this situation, you can resort to any of the methods described above. Use either a crimp coupling or a special tee fitting.

Sometimes the dimensions of the hose that comes with the washing machine are not sufficient to connect to the pipe - it turns out to be too short. It is not recommended to extend the inlet hose; it is better to purchase a new one of suitable length. They are sold in specialized stores.

People living in houses without an organized water supply also have the opportunity to use an automatic machine. In this case, the connection is made in a special way. For these purposes it is used:

• plastic water barrel;
• pump;
• hoses;
• shut-off valve and other components.

In this case, you can either simply place the tank 3 m above the machine, this will create the necessary pressure. A tap is cut into the container, and the inlet hose of the automatic machine is connected to it.

A more expensive connection option is using a pumping station. This method can be made cheaper by using a motor and pump from an old washing machine. The method has long been used by craftsmen at their dachas. You can find out how to organize the process on the Internet.

Sewage discharge

Ensuring smooth drainage is another important task when installing a new washing machine. There are several ways to organize the removal of sewage from the machine. Let's look at each possible option.

• Direct the drain hose of the machine into the bathtub, sink or toilet. This is the simplest and cheapest method, requiring a minimum of time and effort. Many washing machines are equipped with a special hook hose with fasteners.Having chosen this option, keep in mind that the end of the corrugation should be located in relation to the bottom of the machine at a height of at least 40-60 cm. Although it is possible to organize a drain in 3 minutes, it does not look aesthetically pleasing, so it is better to use this idea as a temporary measure.
• Connect the washing machine to the siphon. The most popular and successful method. The drain hose of the automatic machine is connected to the side fitting of the siphon located under the bathtub and secured with a clamp. The corrugation will be hidden from prying eyes, so the appearance of the room will not be affected.
• Organize a connection directly to the sewer pipe. In this case, you will need a vertical tube with a height of 60-90 cm and a diameter of 5 mm. To ensure the tightness of the structure, a rubber seal is placed at the junction of the drain hose and pipe. The insertion is performed using a special tool.

It is very important to observe the connection height - the drain hose should be located at a level of 60-70 cm from the point of exit into the sewer.

If the recommended values ​​are exceeded, the load on the pump will increase. The same effect can be achieved if you connect an overly long drain hose to the machine. Therefore, it is recommended to install the washing machine at a distance of no more than two meters from the sewer pipe.

The best option is to connect the washing machine to a siphon. It is better to purchase and install a special device with a check valve. Then there will be no problem of unpleasant smell from the sewer getting into the machine. The idea of ​​directing a hose into the bathtub is the simplest, but you should understand that after each use of the machine you will have to wash the plumbing. Therefore, it is better to immediately spend half an hour connecting the corrugation to the siphon, rather than cleaning the Jacuzzi for 5 minutes a day.

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