I purchased a whirlpool washing machine from Lowes at a good discount because the ground prong on the power cord was snapped off.
Rather than disassembling the washer to replace the entire power cord I am planning on buying a 15 amp straight plug from lowes and just replacing the plug itself.
This is probably a silly question, but is that safe? No matter how I google/YouTube it the only results I get are full power cord replacements
Maybe it’s the dryer, but I don’t remember ever buying a unit that had the cord installed. You always have to do it when the unit is boxed. They have everything very clearly labeled
I'd replace the entire cord, it is actually easier that replacing the plug end. There is a little access panel where the plug enters on the back to get to it. A screwdriver is the only tool you'll need.
True for dryers, since some people have different plugs in their house. But if it's a washing machine with a regular old NEMA #5-15 plug it might not have an access panel like larger 220V appliances.
Exactly, any appliance mod that is in a home that has been repaired like this can void a warranty or insurance on your home. If there is a fire of any sort then they will do their best to find a way to connect it to an appliance that they have found that it's been modified like that.
I'm not saying that advising replacing the cord is wrong, but it just reminds me that in the UK, for many years, appliances weren't sold with plugs attached. They all came with a power cable with bare wires stripped at the end, and you had to buy a plug separately and attach it yourself.
the uk has a standard replaceable plug though, designed to be replaced (and with all kinds of safety features)
US plus are usually moulded in, and are literal deathtraps in their design, looking like they were designed by a guy who walked by an Edison display in 1880 on their way to the sanitorium.
The US has replaceable plugs too.
We do. And, compared to UK plugs, they’re awful.
They work just fine. They’re not “as good” as UK plugs but they’re functional and safe. Calling them “awful” is ridiculous.
They really aren't. In terms of delivering current to an appliance, they are ok, but in terms of safety (other than the danger caused by the pins sticking up if you leave one on the ground, and then walk around with bare feet) the British ones are vastly better.
It's too easy to poke objects into US sockets, they don't grip the plug well enough to support the weight of power adapters, the cords themselves often only have a single layer of insulation. British plugs are designed so that if they are stuck halfway in, you can't get access to a live pin even if you poke a metal object between the plug and the socket, and it's highly advised against to mix phases in the same room, whereas (at least in Canada), it's not unusual to have a dual socket wired so that the neutrals are effectively the centre tap, and the live (hot) pins are on separate phases 180 degrees apart. So you think you're dealing with a 120V outlet but it's actually got a supply of 240V to it. That's off the top of my head.
I've done a fair amount of electrical work both in the UK and North America (Canada, which has has similar electrical hardware and regs to the US).
This is why /r/DIY is the worst. A bunch of people watch the same Technology Connections video and think US electrical plugs are this murderous boogeyman lurking in the shadows.
If they’re so dangerous show me all the deaths. Show me the injuries. You can’t, because statistically they don’t exist. You’re an order of magnitude more likely to be mauled by a bear than injured by a NEMA connector.
Chill out. They’re fine.
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You'd be able to tell when you removed the old one.
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Right, that would involve cutting the old one off, exposing wires. You could then expose them up to the plug to see what goes to what.
That all said, these plugs can be replaced from the washer and that would be a lot safer.
These units are designed to have the plug replaced as needed and quickly because they are often times connected to unusual specific amperage plug types in the laundry room.
Replacing the plug is usually as simple as unscrewing two screws from an access panel and screwing in the new ends to the terminals.
Right next to the washing machines and dryers there will be a section that sells a variety of plug kits to fit your particular setup, many machines don't even come pre-wired.
I’d recommend replacing the whole cord for a new molded plug instead of rewiring the plug.
Since rewiring the plug requires ferrules to be crimped (or it will get hot) and a pre-made cord should already have these.
Most of these devices have a little cap with access to the cord for installation in bathrooms with fixed cord. Pay attention to the strain relief.
Note; washers use a lot of power, a long time, unattended. No room for mistakes or “oh, she’ll hold for a while”. She will burn your house down.
If none of these options are feasable, the safest diy-redneck solution is to buy an outdoor junction box with cable glands and find a intact, similar gauge, power cord. And splice them with wago 221’s inside the junction box. The cable glands should provide some strain relief.
There's repair plugs made with screw terminals inside, but yeah it's really easy to replace appliance cords. There usually accessable because of the different 3 or 4 prong outlets.
There's nothing wrong with using a repair plug.
And less wasteful too. It's like nobody here has ever replaced or wired a plug or receptacle end onto a pigtail or extension cord before.
Just be sure you know what you are doing. Know which wire goes where, and make certain that the wires have plenty of contact area with the plug when connected.
Yeah that’s fine
Typically one panel removal and you got access to an easy swap out. Do it before install even easier
They sell replacement plugs for any 110 volt device at most hardware stores. Just strip the wire and insert into plug. Razor knife should be all you need really and the replacement plug
Replacing the cord isnt that bad tbh, also if you have a metal recycler you can rob a free cord off of someone else's dumb machine. There should be a panel where the crowd goes into the unit in the back removing that will get you to a junction or terminal or bus box. A place where you can stake the wires onto little screws. Match up the colours bada bing bada boom new cord you!
I had to make an extension cord for my dryer. Shhhh don't tell anyone. I am not sure if I used the right gauge wire but it works.
This is hella easy and shouldn't cost more than $5.
Watch this, then take yourself to a good hardware store.
Completely safe
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Replace the cord. It really isn’t hard.
It’s one of those things though - if you have to ask how, should you really be doing it?
You know I heard, and I can't remember where I read it that there is a little access panel where the plug enters on the back to get to it. A screwdriver is the only tool you'll need.
Most washer cords are right angle cords to save depth, and your won't need able to replicate that in a retrofit plug.
A new cord is generally really easy, easier than a plug.
There's a cover on the back that you can unscrew the cables for the cord. I've had to do this every time I move and even have a spare cord in my garage I'm trying to get rid of.
There are no real safety issues if you just replace the plug on the cord. Lowes (I'm not a fan generally) sells perfectly safe plugs to replace worn ones. Just make sure your connections are tight.
Honestly I'd just see how much the replacement cord is first. It may only be a $10 part and it's a very easy install. Otherwise I'd just lop off the plug end and tack on a replacement plug end.
Replace the cord. Lots of good advice here, but one I didn't see mentioned, a washing machine moves a lot, that will be transferred to the cord. Sometimes the load will shift and the washer will "walk" several feet, putting lots of stress on the cord. You don't want the weak point to be the plug end you put on, you want the cord to pull out of the wall if the washer walks that far.
wut your washing machine actually walks several feet?
I had a washing machine walk several feet into the kitchen and make a sandwich.
It can happen.
If you wash something heavy like towels or a blanket, it can definitely move at least a couple of feet.
I was thinking the same thing. Easy to change and they’re cheap.
It’s against the National code to not replace the plug. It’s your best choice. Don’t splice, you are asking for trouble.
replacing the unit power cord should be very easy. I would just do that. Usually you remove a cover and just replace the power cord. I have done it many times. Takes about 15 mins.
That’s fine. Just make sure to get the proper gauge wiring. A washing machine will pull a lot of current so you don’t want wiring that is too thin
Its a 120v outlet on a 15 amp breaker and the washer was less than 15 amps. And 12 gauge wire is rated for up to 20 amps.
Ok cool. Still need to make sure the wiring is thick enough. I understand he stated he’s planning to use a 15 amp cord but that’s doesn’t mean he will actually buy that 15 amp cord. If he changes his mind, I simply stated as long as the gauge is adequate, it will be fine to replace the end
The National Electric Code (NEC) requires this equipment be grounded. No it is not safe to use ungrounded. Try Googling washing machine electrocutions. A properly installed cord, and whole house ground reduces the risk. Lifting the house ground lead at the water supply is contributory negligence. I would find it hard to believe Lowes would sell a defective product.
Yes, just make Sure to connect all three properly and tighten eveything good n tight. Don't forget Using Ferrules for the flexible wire.
I have used a 12 gauge wire extension cord and just cut the female end off and wired it to a washer and it worked fine. The House had odd spacing between the water hook ups and electrical outlets, and none of the "washer power cords" were long enough, or I would have had to run long hoses for the water inlets and drain.
As long as the cord it rated for the current it should be fine.
12ga wire is rated for 20amps. more than likely the washer pulls less than 15 so 12ga is fine.
LordMaejikan t1_iu0xj13 wrote
Normally you don't have to disassemble the whole unit to replace the power cord. There's a small panel on the back about the size of two playing cards that one takes off to access the power panel to which the core attaches.