Washers and Electricity

• The electricity in a washing machine powers a number of different components, including the washing machine pump, used to pump waste water out of the system; the belt that turns the washer tub, and the solenoids that open and shut to let water into the machine. Newer washers will use electricity to power solid state circuits to control the wash cycle loads, while older washers will rely on electrical timers.
  
  

US Electrical Power

• Power to most US homes is supplied at between 110 and 120 volts operating at a frequency of 50 to 60 Hertz. The type of current supplied is referred to as alternating current because of the frequency of the current waves. This is in comparison to the type of current supplied by batteries, which is direct current. For appliances that require more electricity, such as dryers and ovens, two 110-volt lines are combined together to form a 220-volt line.
  
  

Electrical Washer Requirements

• Most washers in the United States will run on a standard 110 volt circuit. However, this circuit must be protected by a 20-amp breaker. In addition, the washer should be the only appliance on the circuit. As with the rest of the plugs in the house, the socket for the washer should be grounded properly. These codes are in place to help prevent washers from starting fires by causing an electrical short.
  
  

GFCI Outlet

• An additional precaution that you may want to take when hooking up a washing machine to an outlet is to use a ground fault circuit interrupt (GFC) outlet. These outlets even may be required for washing machines by building codes in some locations. A GFCI outlet protects against a voltage leak, such as a dryer short, by automatically shutting itself off when a leak is detected.