Is it possible to connect a dishwasher via an extension cord?

Sometimes users try to connect the dishwasher through an extension cord. This often happens because the PMM power cord is not long enough to reach the nearest outlet. This forces housewives to use an adapter.

However, a seemingly harmless solution is fraught with problems. The extension cord may simply not cope with the load created by the dishwasher. Connecting powerful household appliances through an adapter is unsafe for residents and the equipment itself. We'll tell you why you should stop using an intermediate device.

Extension Cord Danger

In new buildings there are no problems with connecting dishwashers to the electrical network. Designers carefully consider the layout of kitchen areas, providing for each household appliance (stove, refrigerator, oven, PMM) a separate outlet with maximum moisture protection. Another thing is “old” high-rise buildings.

Communications in “old” houses are not as well established as in new buildings. Basically, in the kitchen of Khrushchev and Stalin buildings, a couple of ordinary sockets are provided, located in different corners. Therefore, having purchased a dishwasher, apartment owners find nothing better than buying an extension cord and connecting the machine through it.

The instructions for any dishwasher prohibit connecting the device to the electrical network via an extension cord.

Be sure to read the user manual. There is a clause that says that the dishwasher must be supplied with direct current of a given power. In addition, there must be grounding and moisture protection. Standard adapters cannot provide either the first or the second.

Therefore, you should avoid using an extension cord. Let us tell you why using an adapter is dangerous.

• The extension cord is usually stretched along the floor and the energized adapter lies near the machine. So, if there is a leak, water will immediately enter the device, which will cause a short circuit.
• A cord connected to a regular outlet often bends, frays and gets crushed. As a result, the wire insulation is damaged. Exposed veins pose a threat to the life and health of household members.
• Often, in addition to the dishwasher, other electrical appliances are connected to the extension cord: a kettle, stove, refrigerator, etc. This results in overvoltage in the network and an emergency power outage occurs.
• A “weak” adapter may not be able to cope with a decent load of the dishwasher and may begin to melt. This poses a risk of fire.

You can't joke with electric current. The human heart works on impulses, and even a small surge in voltage can trigger a malfunction in the cardiovascular system. It is also worth remembering about fire safety - using an extension cord can cause a fire in the dishwasher and the entire apartment.

Organization of temporary connection to the power grid

In any case, a separate outlet with grounding and moisture protection should be provided to power the dishwasher. An extension cord can only be used temporarily, until a point is established. In this case, the connection must be carried out in accordance with all the rules.

There is no need to buy the cheapest extension cord - the device must be of high quality, with a sufficient cross-section of cores.

For several days, while the socket is being made, it is possible to connect the dishwasher through an extension cord.It is important to ensure that the intermediate device meets all requirements. What characteristics should you pay attention to when selecting an adapter?

• Wire section. The dishwasher puts a good load on the electrical network. An extension cord with a core diameter of at least 2.5 mm can withstand such power.
• Length. Measure the distance from the PMM to the outlet and buy a compatible cord. It is not permissible to use two extension cords in series.
• Level of protection against moisture. The “carrying” must have moisture protection. The presence of grounding will protect the dishwasher from burning out due to power surges and electrical leakage.
• Quality. It is better to buy adapters from well-known manufacturers and not hunt for cheap “low-grade” analogues.

To connect the dishwasher, you need a separate extension cord of sufficient power. Do not plug other devices into the adapter while the machine is operating. This may overload the network.

In any case, you should be aware that connecting the dishwasher through an extension cord is risky. Even if you use a high-quality adapter with grounding and moisture protection. Therefore, there is no need to delay - you need to make a separate socket with a residual current device for the PMM as soon as possible.

Do I need to install an automatic machine?

If a kettle or hairdryer consumes little electricity, then the dishwasher puts a serious load on the network. In addition, the dishwasher operates in a humid environment, so it is considered a high-risk appliance. For safety reasons, it is worth protecting the PMM with a separate RCD.

When choosing a dishwasher, look at its power. How much energy the machine consumes is always indicated in the instructions for the equipment.The higher the indicator, the greater the load on the network.

The residual current device can detect the fact of an overload in the electrical network and instantly stop the supply of current to the household appliance. This prevents current leakage and equipment fire. The device also triggers when moisture gets into the outlet.

The RCD consists of the following elements:

• transformer;
• a relay that is responsible for breaking the start circuit;
• a sensor that tests the electrical network in constant mode;
• electromagnetic cut-off.

These components provide a “chain reaction”. Modern RCDs do not need to be changed after every accident. It is enough to eliminate the cause of the failure and return the protective device to the “working” position.

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