How to connect a washing machine to electricity

One of the most critical stages of installing a washing machine is the stage aimed at connecting it to the electrical network. Some people associate connecting a washing machine to the electrical network with simply plugging the plug into the socket. This is not true; if suitable electrical communications are not prepared for the washing machine, then the risk during its operation increases tenfold. Let's talk about the correct connection of the washing machine to electricity.

Preparatory stage

When starting a renovation in the bathroom or kitchen, be sure to include in the plan the laying of electrical communications, taking into account the connection of the washing machine. Having done this once and correctly, you will not have to subsequently spoil the interior decoration, curtain the walls for wires, and then cover and seal everything, spending extra money. What components do we need to prepare electrical communications?

• Wires. You absolutely cannot skimp on wires. Based on the average power of an automatic washing machine, you will need a copper wire with three cores with a cross-section of 2-3 mm and high-quality insulation. For more information about the characteristics of the wires, see our table.
  
• Emergency shutdown devices. They are also called residual current switches. Designed to protect your washing machine from power surges and your home from fire. Such a device will save the electrical circuit if, for example, water gets on exposed wires.
• Circuit breaker. Protects the washing machine from short circuits and unacceptable voltage drops.In combination with an emergency shutdown device, the circuit breaker will protect your machine from all electrical risks.
• Additional components - terminals, cable ducts, clamps, etc.

Having purchased everything you need, you need to carefully study the rules for connecting the washing machine. So that there are no problems later. In general, experts recommend not to do such work with your own hands, If you do not have experience “dealing with electricity,” it is better to invite a qualified electrician. So, the connection rules.

1. Use only reliable washing machine connection diagrams developed by specialists.
2. Do not twist copper or aluminum wires.
3. For wiring, use only electrical wires of suitable cross-section (preferably copper).
4. Do not ground the electrical circuit using water pipes, radiators, etc.
5. Use durable sockets with ceramic bases.
6. Do not attempt to connect your washing machine to distant outlets using an extension cord. You also cannot use adapters (from Euro plugs to Russian sockets).
7. Do not connect the neutral wire to the ground wire.
8. Before laying electrical communications, calculate the number and rated power of electrical appliances that will be connected to it except the washing machine.

Diagram of electrical communications for a washing machine

Now let's move on to considering a high-quality connection diagram for a washing machine.How to properly connect a Samsung washing machine and any other to protect it from most risks? First of all, you need to run a separate cable with the appropriate cross-section directly from the electrical distribution panel, including a circuit breaker, an emergency shutdown device and grounding in the circuit.

If gating the walls from the electrical panel itself, which is located either in the corridor or in the entrance, is not an option, then you can make it simpler and connect to the electric stove outlet (if there is one). The electric stove's connection will easily withstand the additional load. We remove the three-wire wire from the outlet.

Remember! Connections of wires made of different metals must be made using terminals. It is strictly forbidden to twist such wires.

Next, as in the previous case, we connect the circuit breaker and emergency shutdown device according to the diagram, not forgetting to throw in a grounding wire. As a result, the three wire strands should converge in a Euro socket with a ceramic base and the ability to connect a ground wire. Here is a schematic diagram.

Try to hide the wires as much as possible in cable ducts, and the circuit breaker and emergency shutdown device in plastic and aluminum boxes. Firstly, it looks much more aesthetically pleasing, and secondly, there is less chance that wires closed in this way will come into contact with moisture, which is by no means desirable.

The above connection diagram can be simplified a little if you correctly use a machine with a built-in emergency shutdown system. This will eliminate one device, however, there are still few high-quality machines of a similar design on the CIS market, but as they say, everything is ahead.

When arranging electrical communications, pay special attention to the outlet to which the washing machine will be directly connected. Be sure to choose a high-quality socket with moisture protection, for example, a Legrand electrical outlet is perfect. Next, you can connect the washing machine to the water supply and sewerage system; for information on how best to do this, read the article about installation of a washing machine.

How to protect your washing machine from failures?

High-quality grounding will help to effectively protect a Samsung washing machine and any other brand of equipment from voltage surges. Unfortunately, only recently, due to the appearance of a large number of energy-intensive household electrical appliances, have people begun to think about grounding outlets. If you live in a house over 20 years old and have not touched the electrical wiring before, most likely you do not have properly grounded outlets.

Let's take the first step, ground our outlet, which will serve to connect the washing machine. It will be quite troublesome to do this in an apartment, but in a private house it is quite normal. Do the following:

• Route the wire intended for grounding the outlet to the outside wall of the house so that its end reaches the foundation.
• Drive a piece of reinforcement into the ground to a depth of about 2 meters so that its tip protrudes 30 cm from the ground.
• Clean the end of the wire from insulation, and the tip of the fitting protruding from the ground from dirt and rust. Wrap the bare part of the wire tightly around the fitting; to be sure, you can seal the connection with a small amount of cold welding.
• Wrap the junction of the wire and the fittings thoroughly with electrical tape, then place a piece of rubber hose of suitable diameter on the fittings.
• The grounding has been prepared correctly, now you can connect the wire to the outlet, it will be reliable and safe.

In conclusion, we note that connecting a washing machine to the electrical network is a very important matter and not as complicated as it might seem at first glance. The main thing is not to neglect the rules formulated by experts and use only proven connection diagrams, which we described in our article. Good luck!

1 reader comment

1. 01/27/2017 at 13:44

   Peter:

   PUE prohibits the installation of sockets in bathrooms in the absence of a potential equalization system.
   Wire with a cross-section of 6mm^2 for a power of 8.5 kW. Where are these household washing machines available?

   Answer