[mavalentine]

I'm removing a cabinet and installing a dishwasher I think I know what I'm doing but the electrical part of it is kind of scary any advice

 

[Leah Frances]

Seriously, if you are genuinely scared by the electrical, hire someone to come do it. Or - go to the library, get online, start reading and learning until you feel comfortable.

Fear is not the right motivator for good electrical work.

 

[mavalentine]

I'm not saying I've never done electrical work befor just nothing like this where I have to add a circuit for the dishwasher

 

[Leah Frances]

One question: Do you know what procedure you need for your permits?

 

[dSilanskas]

Its easy. Run a feed from the panel but make sure you size the wire correct. Install a plug behind the dishwasher. You have to also install a cord on the end of the dishwasher if it didn't come with one. Just be safe and make sure the power is off and doubt check your connections

 

[mavalentine]

Not yet I was planning on looking into that tomorrow I know I have to have permits and such but was just trying to get some advice so when I do get that part together I would know what I was doing

 

[mavalentine]

Cool Thanks.... I'm just concerned it may be a little out of my league since the most I've ever done alone the lines of electrical is change lighting fixtures and such

 

[finnimus]

Here's the thing, and please understand that I'm not trying to be discouraging. If you're looking to just get this one project done, it's probably more value for your money to hire someone to do it. Sure you can read a few posts and take a shot at it. However, in order to truly understand what you're doing, the risks, and the appropriate things to do, you will need to spend a few hours here searching through old posts and asking questions. For the number of hours you will spend learning, it's probably better just to pay someone.

There are lots of things to consider. How are you going to get the feed from your panel to your outlet? Are you going to run a new circuit? If you run a new circuit, do you have space in your current panel? Are you comfortable working in a panel? Are you going to tap power from another outlet? Is it a GFCI outlet?

Regardless of which you choose, there are lots of people here to help.

 

[COLDIRON]

Learn

Take your time and get all the info before starting, if you have any electrician Buddy's ask them to help. Learn everything you can about electric, then tackle the job and be proud of yourself.

Just remember SAFETY FIRST at all times.

Watch out for minor details IE which way to install the wire under a screw, how to strip wire, wire size, breaker
size, stapling, connectors, etc.

Do not install it just by reading this forum.

 

[J. V.]

If you are only installing ONE dishwasher a permit would be a waste of money and time. An electrician would not pull one.
Just install a 20 amp single pole breaker in the panel. Run a 12/2 NM cable from the panel to the dishwasher. Connect the black wire in the cable to the breaker, connect the white to the neutral bar and the ground to the ground bar if present. If there is no ground bar (terminal strip) connect the ground where the nuetrals are connected. Bring the cable all the way to the junction box provided on the DW. Here you just hook up black to black and white to white and the ground to the box itself.

It will be much easier to hard wire this DW, than trying to use a cord and plug arrangement.

If you plan to install a garbage disposal nearby, run a 12/3 NM cable. We can then explain how to use it.

 

[220/221]

Install a plug behind the dishwasher.

GAH!!!


NEVER install the DW recep BEHIND the DW. Troublesooting a DW circuit becomes much more difficult when you have to pull out the DW just to test power. I had to do this last week and I was CUSSING the idiot who installed it.

Install it under the sink where it's accessible and run the pigtail thru the cabinet.

 

[dSilanskas]

GAH!!!


NEVER install the DW recep BEHIND the DW. Troublesooting a DW circuit becomes much more difficult when you have to pull out the DW just to test power. I had to do this last week and I was CUSSING the idiot who installed it.

Install it under the sink where it's accessible and run the pigtail thru the cabinet.

Oh stop being a baby

 

[220/221]

Stop making my job more difficult than it has to be :jester:

Job: tshoot power to DW.

1. Open sink base door, unplug DW and stick wiggy in. 20 seconds.

or

2. Empty DW, locate and remove countertop screws, remove kick cover plate, find no accessible jb in that little 3" space but I do find that there is no tile under DW and the legs must be adjusted up a half inch @ an 1/8 turn at a time, try to pull out DW and find the water supply is too short, disconnect it and put a pan under the worn out angle valve to catch the dripping water, test power and reinstall. 20 minutes.

 

[dSilanskas]

Stop making my job more difficult than it has to be :jester:

Job: tshoot power to DW.

1. Open sink base door, unplug DW and stick wiggy in. 20 seconds.

or

2. Empty DW, locate and remove countertop screws, remove kick cover plate, find no accessible jb in that little 3" space but I do find that there is no tile under DW and the legs must be adjusted up a half inch @ an 1/8 turn at a time, try to pull out DW and find the water supply is too short, disconnect it and put a pan under the worn out angle valve to catch the dripping water, test power and reinstall. 20 minutes.

Well if you took the front plate off you will notice that the jbox for the DW where the cord goes to is right there. So you can test power there. If you have no power there go to the breaker.

 

[220/221]

That is generally the case but, when I pulled the plate....no jb.

Turns out that this was the only DW I have seen with a factory cord and the JB was nowhere to be seen.

Still, Don't do it :furious:

 

[dSilanskas]

That is how everyone does it around here and no one cries like you :laughing:

 

[rgsgww]

Its stupid, I agree. Make it accessible.

 

[Daniel Holzman]

I seem to recall that a dishwasher was supposed to have a visible, positive disconnect per NEC. Maybe I misunderstood? Anyway, when I installed my dishwasher I ran a dedicated 20 amp circuit through a 20 amp switch above the counter, then to the dishwasher. Probably overkill, but I do recall NEC has something to say about dishwashers. Somebody intimately familiar with NEC know for sure?

 

[InPhase277]

Yes, the DW is required to have a disconnect, and this can either be cord and plug, or it can be a breaker lock. What good is an equipment disconnect if you have to remove the equipment to get to it? If you install a cord and plug, make it accessible.

On the other hand, most dishwashers I have installed were hard wired. I'll admit, I've never ever installed a breaker lock for them. Yes, I'm a violator! I just hope I don't do any prison time...

 

[J. V.]

Why use a cord and plug at all? Every DW I have installed had a J-Box in the front, right behind the kick plate with a 1/2" KO. NM right in. Fast, easy install and removal.

220/221, I do like the idea of putting the recept under the sink if you do use cord and plug.