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rapaz

Nov 1, 2002, 5:40 AM

Post #1 of 6 (3359 views)

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washing machine electricity

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Ok, I'm going to try and explain things clearly, but if I fail please be gentle!

We are moving into a new apartment tomorrow in Analco, Guadalajara. In the next week or so I will be buying a washing machine. However, the clothes-washing area is around a corner and up some stairs (perhaps 10 to 15 meters total?), and there is not yet an electrical connection. So... I see two basic options:

First, simply buy a heavy-duty extension cord and only plug it in when we are using the washing machine. Easy, but not very convenient and people might trip on it.

Second, run a dedicated line. Any guesses as to correct wire gauge and type? (It's only load will be the washing machine, but the line will be exposed to the elements.) And to where should I attach the line inside the apartment?

Suggestions and advice most welcomed, as are words of warning! I know how not to let the smoke out of the wires, and have done some wiring, just not this before.

Actually, even if you know nothing about wiring, any suggestions about brands/types of washing machines?

Rolly / Moderator

Nov 1, 2002, 11:51 AM

Post #2 of 6 (3298 views)

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Re: [rapaz] washing machine electricity

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For someone not familiar with wiring techniques, I think you would be better off to use the extension cord. You can use duct tape to keep it neatly out of the foot path.

I don’t mean to be rude, but as one very familiar with house wiring, the questions you asked about a permanent connection say to me that you should hire an electrician. It would not cost you very much, and it would be much safer for you and for your landlord.

If you are planning to buy a washing machine here in Mexico, prepare yourself for a sticker shock.

Rolly Pirate

_Howard_

Nov 1, 2002, 7:28 PM

Post #3 of 6 (3277 views)

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Re: [rapaz] washing machine electricity

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I agree completely with Rolly, use an electrician if you want a permanent installation. Since it is outdoors and in a wet/damp environment (the laundry area), the shock/electrocution hazard is much greater if the installation is not done correctly.

Most washing machines draw/use 7 to 10 amps of current. A 16 gauge extension cord is close to it's limit at 10 amps so use 14 gauge or higher. This is particularly important since the cord could be 15 meters long.

I have only had Sears and Maytag washing machines and all have given excellent service. The Maytag washers are much easier to work on than Sears washers but it's much easier to get Sears parts.

rapaz

Nov 2, 2002, 3:54 AM

Post #4 of 6 (3266 views)

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Re: [_Howard_] washing machine electricity

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Thanks for the fast replies, especially with the wire gauge suggestion.

I think I'm feeling a little defensive ;) Really, I'm not incompetant; one learns by asking and doing while paying attention to safety. I've helped wire several houses from scratch, and certainly know how to add an additional circuit to a fuse box, not to mention how to safely run wire. My abilities as an electrician are well above what is acceptable as "good wiring" in this neighborhood (and in most houses I've lived in in the US also, sadly enough).

Hence my question--this apartment, like every house and apartment that I've been in in this part of town, has a really little fuse box with two 20amp fuses, and no space to expand. (Sort of the antithesis of the huge US-style circuit breaker box you may be familiar with.)

So... having made my question more specific, do your suggestions change? That is, should I just pick the less loaded 20 amp fuse and connect the washer line to that side? Or would adding a second fuse box (with a third fused circuit) be the really smart idea? There will be fairly little electrical load in the apartment--tv, computer, a fan, perhaps a fridge at some point, lights, so I'm not at all pushing the limits of the system here.

Thanks again for your help and advice!

_Howard_

Nov 2, 2002, 10:32 AM

Post #5 of 6 (3248 views)

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Re: [rapaz] washing machine electricity

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Sorry Rapaz, we didn't mean to make you feel defensive. It's hard to determine from just a few sentences what a person's experience level is. Since incorrect electrical work can be very dangerous, it's always smart to be cautious when giving advice.

Ideally, replacing the distribution box with one having more circuits would be the thing to do since new circuits could be added easily in the future. You would want to do this because a 50 amp service is fairly small for running washing machines, refrigerators, several rooms of lights, TVs, stereos, kitchen appliances, your tools, etc.

But, since you are a renter, it doesn't make sense for you to incur the expense. If one of the circuits has a low enough load, one you can add a 10 amp load to and not exceed 20 amps (always want to have some current reserve, 5 amps in this case, for things like inductive current surge of motors), I would just use that circuit. If both circuits are already too heavily loaded, then add a new subpanel (much cheaper than replacing old panel).

Forgot to mention in previous post that you should use a GFI outlet/receptacle at the washer as well as running a safety ground (green wire in US). But to run a safety ground, you need a good ground at the distribution panel and a lot I've seen in Mexico don't have them. If you can't run a safety ground, still install a GFI receptacle, they work just fine without a safety ground. The safety ground is added protection for shorts from the hot side of the line to the metal housings of appliances and tools. If the housings are grounded and a short from the hot side of the line occurs, then the fuse is blown rather than a potential shock/electrocution occurring.

Jerry Emrie

Nov 2, 2002, 11:39 AM

Post #6 of 6 (3268 views)

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Re: [rapaz] washing machine electricity

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Rapaz

A washing machine normally draws around 8 to 14 amps of current, a 14 gauge extension cord plugged into another outlet and run to the washer would suffice provided the circuit is capable of the additional load, but would not be my choice for a permanent installation. If you decide to install a circuit from the fuse box to the washer and are going to connect it to a 20 amp fuse then you need to use a wire that is rated for 20 amps (12 gauge wire). To install a #14 wire that is rated for 15 amps and connect it to a 20 amp fuse is unsafe as the wire can burn up without the fuse blowing.

I would also look closely at the ground system in the fuse box as in Mexico it is very common to encounter ungrounded systems

As additional protection I would install a GFI at the washing machine and tie the ground wire to the cold water pipe providing it is metal not PVC

If you decide an extension cord is the answer to the problem I still suggest you install a GFI at the washer, this can be accomplished by cutting off the female end of the cord and installing a box with a GFI receptacle for the washer, remember if the plumbing is metal tie the ground wire to the pipe for added protection

Good Luck