Last updated on August 14th, 2022 at 01:28 pm
Heavy appliances often have strict specifications in usage and connectivity. These specifications in connectivity often include the type and size of power cords.
Some of these appliances come with specified power cords to set the pace and improve customer satisfaction.
However, is this the case with washers?
Washers come with regular power cords and a heavy-duty wire rated 120V. The reason is that the standard electrical codes and outlets for washers are constant. The sizes and prongs of the power cords for these washers do not vary so much from region to region or state to state. Thus, the included power cord can be used anywhere the washer is used.
Do Newer Washers And Dryers Come With Power Cords?
It is common for newer washers to come packaged with power cords. This feature has become a standard practice for washers produced and sold in modern times across many companies.
However, this is not the case with dryers. Even today, dryers do not come with power cords.
The electrical codes and outlets used for installing washers are usually the same across different regions.
For this reason, the power cord used for these washers is uniform, so the company provides them to customers assured that the customers will adequately utilize them.
In the case of dryers, manufacturers often give consumers the option of choosing a 3-prong cord or a 4-prong cord that would fit the outlet they have.
I would also suggest you read if you can use a junction box for your washing machine.
Dryers do not come with their power cords upon purchase because they are different electrical codes and outlets the user can choose, which is more convenient.
Do Washers Need Power Cords?
All washers need power cords with which they are connected to electrical outlets. These cords are often used for overhead wiring, exposed wiring, and burial wiring in the ground.
Most heavy-duty appliances use power cords to transfer sufficient electricity from the outlet to the washer. It is also essential for washers to have power cords to avoid tripping.
Power cords also serve conveniently as insulators of electricity transferred to the washer at a particular time.
This insulation implies that they automatically reduce the chances of electrical fires and overheating in the electric outlet.
Most manufacturers often install Power cords on the washer before packing them up and sealing them. Power cords can be easily detached or fixed from the washers.
They also have twist locking features that help to prevent accidental sagging when connected to the electric outlet.
Does An Electric Dryer Need A Special Outlet?
For an electric dryer to work efficiently, it must be connected to a 240-volt circuit outlet. These 240 volts are shared through the two wires of the natural and ground wire.
Therefore, if a dryer is plugged into a circuit that is lower than its requirement, it will not function or work efficiently the way it should.
For example, whenever a dryer is connected to a 120 volt, it automatically stops working and trips.
Whether or not a dryer needs a special outlet also depends on the size of the dryer. Electric and gas-powered dryers require the same amount of power to run effectively.
Electric dryers need particular outlets to avoid loose wires, wrong or faulty connections, and compatibility of the cords on the dryers with the appliance itself.
These problems become noticeable when the dryer is not drying up clothes or stops working altogether.
So, without further ado, let’s look through these problems and how to stop them.
1. Loose Wires
The primary cause for your dryer’s stop working could be the electric outlets having loose wires that soon make the entire electrical panel hot.
The dryer may, however, not get hot. Still, the fact that the electrical outlet is constantly hot should make you raise an eyebrow and take action to contact an experienced and professional electrician to fix it to avoid fire outbreaks.
When there are inappropriate or feeble electrical connections, fire outbreaks and electrical fires are more prone to occur.
For example, heat generation will increase as resistance increases if an electric dryer outlet is detached from its dedicated circuit.
This resistance stops the current flow into the dryer, thereby increasing the heat. Eventually, the plastic coils and housing around the dryer’s electric panel and cord heat up.
You should call an electrician to help you fix all the loose wires in the electric outlet. Any evidence of arcing or presence of black soot indicates that the wiring and circuit are not appropriate nor compatible with the dryer.
2. Bad Connections
Inappropriate wiring between the cord and the electric outlet on the dryer has the same hazardous effect as a loose wire. In addition, these faulty connections can cause the cord plug to heat up.
When you plug the chords into the outlets, and it falls out or appears loose, it is a simple indication that the finger grips are old and should be replaced.
To check faulty connections, you can use a tension-checking tool to estimate the tension in the outlet.
This method determines a way of determining the amount of current that flows through the outlets at a particular time or per hour.
Compatibility Of The Cord With The Dryer
Sometimes, wrong cords with a higher or lower voltage rate are used on a device and lead to so much damage.
To reduce this, you will have to check the wiring of the dryer terminals to see if it is correct and check the dryer itself if it is appropriately bonded or grounded.
Incompatibility in electrical outlets and dryers often causes severe damage such as melting plastic cords or panels and other minor but visible signs of overheating.
Replacing the cables is the best thing to do to avoid further complications or occurrences. It is important to note that the 240V dryers have two different styles for their outlets and plug-in cords.
It has 3- slot outlets that match all dryers that have three prongs. It has also been modified to 4-slot outlets for cables with four prongs.
Conclusion
Washers come with regular power cords and heavy-duty wires of 120V. Unlike washers, dryers do not come with power cords because they do not have standard electrical codes but differ from one country to the other.
Washers need power cords to avoid electrocution, overheating, and overloading. Dryers need particular outlets with at least a 240-volt circuit.