Electrical connection for Dishwasher

ukjoel

Just moved into a new place. They had a dishwasher (but have taken it with them. The plumbing is in place but the electric socket doesnt take a 3 pin plug. I think its called a fused connection unit.

Our new dishwasher arrived today and the wife was very excited until she realised the plug had nowhere to go.

Is it simply a case of following the same process for changing an electrical socket faceplate. I have bought a 13 amp fused plug socket face in preparation but wanted to seeif anyone has done one of these before.

Thanks

Ebe_Scrooge

A very simple job, it's just the same as wiring a plug. You can either replace the FCU with a standard socket, or else cut the plug off the dishwasher and wire it directly into the FCU. No difference in terms of function, it's personal preference. Wiring directly into the FCU gives the advantage of an inch or so extra space at the back, if space is tight ( i.e. you don't have the plug sticking out of the wall ), but the disadvantage that you can't easily pull the dishwasher right out of the way - but then, how often do you need to do that ?

Oh, and hopefully it goes without saying, but please remember to switch off at the mains before you start fiddling around :-)

ukjoel

Cheers - Will go for the plug in approach I think. Apparently removal of plug will impact warranty on machine.

One further question - the plug is under the sink - Not directly but is attached to the interior of the kitchen cabinet on which the sink sits and pipework drains into.

Do I need any special plug bearing this in mind. ie in case sink leaks or squirts water over socket. Unlikely but prefer to be safe.

Gloomendoom

ukjoel wrote: »

Do I need any special plug bearing this in mind. ie in case sink leaks or squirts water over socket. Unlikely but prefer to be safe.

It's not an ideal place for a socket. If you don't want to move it, you could always fit one of these...

IP66 Rated Switched Socket

fluffpot

under normal conditions there shouldn't be any water sloshing around under the sink, so there are no special rules relating to sockets in that location

DVardysShadow

Ebe_Scrooge wrote: »

A very simple job, it's just the same as wiring a plug. You can either replace the FCU with a standard socket, or else cut the plug off the dishwasher and wire it directly into the FCU. No difference in terms of function, it's personal preference. Wiring directly into the FCU gives the advantage of an inch or so extra space at the back, if space is tight ( i.e. you don't have the plug sticking out of the wall ), but the disadvantage that you can't easily pull the dishwasher right out of the way - but then, how often do you need to do that ?

Oh, and hopefully it goes without saying, but please remember to switch off at the mains before you start fiddling around :-)

And another thing to remember is

If you cut a plug off a lead, destroy the plug with a hammer.

Otherwise it is an accident waiting to happen