How Many Amps Does a Dishwasher Draw? – All You Need to Know!

Most household dishwashers use 10 amps current usually. However, the amperage varies according to the brand of your dishwasher. There are commercial dishwashers as well as industrial dishwashers that can reach up to 20 amperes.

When we usually buy a new dishwasher, we don’t have any idea how many amps it uses. There are different types of dishwashers depending on their use – household, industrial, and commercial. Household dishwashers usually draw 10 amps of current.

On the other hand, commercial and industrial dishwashers are built differently for heavy loads. Depending on the brand, they can reach up to 20 amperes of power. Therefore, you need to use the appropriate breakers and circuitry.

how many amps does a dishwasher draw

How Many Amps Does a Dishwasher Use

The average household dishwasher generally uses 10 amps of power. It means that the dishwasher will need its own dedicated circuit that is of at least 15 amps. A dedicated circuit is basically a plug that is used specifically for one appliance and nothing else is plugged into it.

To find how many amps your dishwasher draws, here are a few things you should do.

  • Read & examine the manual of the dishwasher correctly
  • Check the electrical connection
  • Take the help of an electrician to figure it out for you

As you can see from the list above, the amps that popular brands need range from 6.6 to 15 amps. No matter what the brand of your dishwasher is, you will need a 110 outlet. It is better that you get a 20 amp breaker to be on the safe side. 

The Amperage of Dishwashers According to Brands

On average, household dishwashers use 10 amps but the amperage differs according to the brand of the dishwasher that you are using. Here’s a list of dishwasher brands along with their amperage. 

  • KitchenAid – 15 amps
  • Bosch – 12 amps
  • Maytag – 15 amps
  • Black & Decker – 12 amps
  • LG – 15 amps
  • GE – 6.6 amps
  • Kenmore – 8.2 

Can You Use Multiple Appliances on the Same Circuit

The room in your home that will consume the most power is the kitchen since most modern kitchens are equipped with a trash compactor, garbage disposal, dishwasher, stove, refrigerator, and various other small appliances. 

Due to the sheer amount of electricity that is needed to power each appliance, they all need their own circuit. Breakers that are meant for use with 110 V outlets can easily process 15 to 20 amps without any damage. 

fully loaded white dishwasher

Keeping in mind that a toaster alone needs 10 amps when it is being used, it is easy to see why you shouldn’t keep different appliances on the same circuit. Having all the appliances on dedicated circuits is what the National Electrical Code suggests and it keeps you, your family, and your appliance safe from any unforeseen incidents. 

It is very dangerous to have multiple appliances running on the same electrical circuit. For instance, let’s consider what will happen if you connect your dishwasher and refrigerator to the same circuit. 

The dishwasher on average will use almost 10 amps. The refrigerator will require an additional 6 to 7 amps. At first glance, all seems okay – you are still under the maximum limit by at least 4 to 5 amps. However, you need to account for the start-up surge as well. 

A start-up surge is the amount of power any electrical appliance needs during its strenuous cycle. In the case of a refrigerator, this power can be triple the amount of power a refrigerator needs normally. 

This will take the amount of power required beyond the threshold of the breaker. Therefore, if you place multiple appliances, particularly refrigerators and dishwashers on the same circuit, it will overload the breaker easily.

outlet for dishwasher

Can You Use A Regular Outlet for Your Dishwasher

Yes, you can use a nearby power outlet for your dishwasher as long as some particular conditions are met. 

  1. Firstly, you need to ensure that the outlet is not in close proximity or directly behind the dishwasher. Any power outlet that is within the housing that holds your dishwasher shouldn’t be used and should always remain disconnected. 
  1. Even though dishwashers are tough and durable, leaks are always a possibility. You don’t want water to leak and seep into the electrical outlet. Find a 120 power outlet that is within reach of the cord of your dishwasher. If it is inside a cabinet, that would be best. If not, that is alright as well. 
  1. Make sure that the outlet you use is a GFCI outlet. You can recognize this outlet by two reset buttons that are present in between the plug openings. NEC requires these kinds of plugs for outlets that are present near or in damp/wet areas, for instance, the area where your dishwasher is housed. 

When these outlets come into contact with water, they automatically cut the power at the outlet itself. This saves your appliance along with the wiring from any damage. 

Things to Keep in Mind while Buying a Dishwasher

When you are buying a dishwasher, these things need to be considered.

  1. Space that You Have

The space that you have in your kitchen to plug in the dishwasher plays a huge role in the type of dishwasher that you buy. You can’t buy a commercial dishwasher and expect it to fit in a small space, right?

Measure the space in which you want to install the dishwasher, and then buy one that fulfils the requirements.

  1. Cleaning Capabilities

The foremost and important thing that you need to consider is the cleaning performance of your dishwasher. After all, you are selecting a dishwasher so that your utensils will be sparkling clean! 

After cleaning the dishes thoroughly, the dishwasher needs to dry them completely as well to keep harmful bacteria from growing on them. 

  1. Reliability and Efficiency

Efficiency and reliability come together – a dishwasher that is efficient is reliable as well. Make sure that you consider the convenience that the dishwasher brings. 

  1. Noise

It is never a good idea to buy a dishwasher without considering its noise levels. It would not do if you buy a noisy machine that disturbs the peace of your household. Buy a dishwasher that works quietly yet efficiently. 

  1. Design

Another thing that you need to consider is the interior design of your kitchen. Choose an appliance that will complement the appearance of your kitchen. 

  1. Breaker Requirement for Your Dishwasher

To sustain the power requirements of the dishwashers depending on their function and size, you need to get the right size of circuit breakers. Generally, the breaker you get needs to exceed the electrical requirement of the dishwasher by 80% to avoid overloading. 

Most 10 amp dishwashers will work smoothly with a 15 amp circuit breaker. Commercial dishwashers may need a bigger circuit breaker, but household ones would do just fine.

  1. Circuit with Correct Power Rating

All electrical appliances come with varying power ratings. For a household dishwasher that has a 10 amp requirement, you shouldn’t use a circuit with a lower proper rating. Most dishwashers use 10 to 15 amps. 

Therefore, the circuit that you attach to your dishwasher should range from 15 to 20 amps. This is to prevent short circuits, overloading, damage to your appliance, and even electrocution. Before you connect your dishwasher, you need to check if there is any leakage on the surface of the dishwasher from where water can emanate.

FAQs for How Many Amps Does a Dishwasher Draw

How can I find out how much power my dishwasher needs to operate safely?

Always check the label on your appliance. Check the input and output of the device from the electrical info or the diagrams given on the appliance to know how you can operate the device safely.

Does my dishwasher need to be on its own circuit?

Yes, to avoid a short circuit that will not only damage you but your appliance as well, you need to use a dedicated circuit for your dishwasher.

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