2007-09-10 01:41:54 · 10 answers · asked by mr_lova_1000 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
You will find a plate somewhere on the back of the washing machine. It will tell you the power rating in watts. Divide the power by the voltage of your supply and this will tell the current, amps. If your supply is only 5 amps and your calculation comes to greater than 5 amps do not use the machine or you could start a house fire or at least blow your fuse if it is correctly fused. As a clue, if your voltage is 240v and you have a 5 amp supply, it must not have a rating in excess of 1200 watts or 1.2 Kilo watts.
It is not true to say that manufacturers fit a 15 amp plug because that is the minimum requirement of the product. They fit plugs to fit the standard sockets in the country they wish to sell the product.
2007-09-10 02:05:26 · answer #1 · answered by Tony A 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A washing machine may go through several cycles such as filling, churning and spinning that makes different uses of its motor(s). The power requirement (15 amps) likely tells you that none of the cycles use more than 15 amps (including reasonable surges to start a motor). This means that the washing machine may be plugged into a circuit protected by a common 15 amp breaker (that will trip open if it draws more than 15 amps). The washing machine may operate at less than 5 amps at given parts of its cycle. The power rating of course is at house voltage (15 amps at 60 cycle AC and 110 volts). Using a transformer (reducer?) to change voltage and current will likely void the warrant and may cause permanent damage or even a fire.
2007-09-10 03:03:17 · answer #2 · answered by Kes 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think by "reducer" you mean an adapter (plug) that is only rated for 5 Amp., not a "voltage reducer".
It now depends where you live...
If you are in a "110 Volt country", then the answer is NO.
Most washing machines consume between 1000 and 1200 Watt. at 110 Volt, that translates to roughly 10 Amp.!
If you If you are in a "220 Volt country", then the answer is You might get away with it, but you really shouldn't. The washing machine still consumes 1000 to 1200 Watt, but at 220 Volt that translates to 5 Amp. That would be sailing too hard at the wind....!
2007-09-10 01:59:44 · answer #3 · answered by Marianna 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
15 Amps Plug
2016-12-10 17:42:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The washing machine is going to use (or try to use) the amount of current it needs from the power line. If the coupling to the power line can safely handle the amount of current that the machine uses, than all is kewl. But if the coupling is designed to handle 5 amps and the machine is trying to use 10 or 15, there's a problem. And it usually ends up with the coupling overheating (and sometimes starting a fire).
HTH
Doug
2007-09-10 01:54:19 · answer #5 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would not change the plug because this is the minimum electrical requirement for appliances.
What is a amperage reducer? Never heard of it.
When I installed outlets for my washer / dryer, I ran a 20 ampere circuit to ensure that a overload would not happen.
2007-09-10 01:54:43 · answer #6 · answered by Contented 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is no such thing as a current reducer. There does exist such a thing as a voltage reducer; you could try it -- and be ready to buy a new washing machine, as the low voltage WILL cause the motor to stall and fry, and also ruin the control circuitry.
2007-09-10 01:49:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
No. It's not safe. Have a licensed electrician change your outlet to the proper type to accept a three-prong plug. Better safe than sorry.
2016-05-21 01:42:46 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't recommend the reducer it will affect the performance of your machine.
2007-09-10 02:37:56 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
idiot
Look at the rating
Watts = Current * Volts
bear in mind the cables and plug must bear PEAK loads
2007-09-10 10:19:30 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋