Help me swap my standard W/D for a combo unit
December 29, 2022 12:41 PM Subscribe
How do I deal with the difference in required power outlet?
I currently have a stacked washer and dryer that uses 240V. I want to replace it with a combo/all-in one unit, which seem to all use 120V, 10 amps (I am looking at this one specifically). The plug is behind the w/d, which is itself in a small closet, so the plug cannot be accessed until the old machine is removed. I am in the U.S., in case it matters.
Will this adapter work so that I can plug the new machine into the existing outlet? Or do I need to have an electrician in to do electrician-y things to it (not optimal as I hope to have the new machine installed at the same time that the old one is removed)? Are there other possible solutions or things I need to consider re: power source?
I currently have a stacked washer and dryer that uses 240V. I want to replace it with a combo/all-in one unit, which seem to all use 120V, 10 amps (I am looking at this one specifically). The plug is behind the w/d, which is itself in a small closet, so the plug cannot be accessed until the old machine is removed. I am in the U.S., in case it matters.
Will this adapter work so that I can plug the new machine into the existing outlet? Or do I need to have an electrician in to do electrician-y things to it (not optimal as I hope to have the new machine installed at the same time that the old one is removed)? Are there other possible solutions or things I need to consider re: power source?
It is extremely common for dryers (which primarily use the plugs that Gregr shows) to not come with a cord, and you purchase one to match the outlet you have. This is a matter of unscrewing some screws, and following a pretty chill diagram. I have a similar LG dryer, It did not come with a cord and plug installed.
Do not use an adapter like that for something you cannot reach; this is a fire hazard and could easily void your renters or homeowners insurance if used regularly.
posted by furnace.heart at 1:51 PM on December 29, 2022
Do not use an adapter like that for something you cannot reach; this is a fire hazard and could easily void your renters or homeowners insurance if used regularly.
posted by furnace.heart at 1:51 PM on December 29, 2022
Best answer: OP's new unit is only 110V and will come with the proper cord installed like any other 110V appliance.
You shouldn't use 3-4 prong adapters to power a breakout box for 110V (the 4 prong to multiple 110V adapter) because the 240V 3 prong receptacle is combining the ground and neutral which is pretty unsafe (we were never allowed to install the 3 prong dryer receptacle in Canada because of this issue).
You want to be really careful using an adapter like the Dreld or the AC Works adapter (which appear to be the same thing) because they often are not listed (IE: designed and built in an approved electrical manufacturing facility to mandated standards). Dreld says in the Q&A on Amazon that their adapter is not listed and AC Works is mum which usually means not listed. This is fine for occasional use on a generator but it is technically illegal to plug anything unlisted into a mains powered outlet. If it were to cause a fire your insurance could be voided.
However if you have a 4-prong dryer receptacle it is really likely you also have a 110V receptacle behind the stacked unit as they became at about the same time. If not converting the 240V receptacle into a 110V receptacle is very straight forward for any electrician assuming your panel isn't so obsolete that breakers are unavailable.
Mopdern stacker units like the one you have aren't terribly awkward to move (the old one had huge chunks of concrete in them that made them very heavy). Most electricians doing residential service are going to be able to do it and I'd guess it would be normal for them to do so in this sort of situation though you may want to mention the need to move the unit when you book the work. Best bet would be to get the electrician out a day or two before the delivery of your new unit. They can pull the unit out and not even bother to push it back in (which is the hard part). Or if logistics permit you could delay booking the electrician until the you know you don't have the proper receptacle and just leave the new unit out until they get there. Your new unit will be very easy to put in place and I can't imagine any electrician hesitating to do so if it is already near the closet.
One thing you can check is whether a breaker labeled washer exists in your panel in addition to one labelled dryer. That would be a strong indicator that the proper receptacle is already installed.
posted by Mitheral at 2:01 PM on December 29, 2022 [4 favorites]
You shouldn't use 3-4 prong adapters to power a breakout box for 110V (the 4 prong to multiple 110V adapter) because the 240V 3 prong receptacle is combining the ground and neutral which is pretty unsafe (we were never allowed to install the 3 prong dryer receptacle in Canada because of this issue).
You want to be really careful using an adapter like the Dreld or the AC Works adapter (which appear to be the same thing) because they often are not listed (IE: designed and built in an approved electrical manufacturing facility to mandated standards). Dreld says in the Q&A on Amazon that their adapter is not listed and AC Works is mum which usually means not listed. This is fine for occasional use on a generator but it is technically illegal to plug anything unlisted into a mains powered outlet. If it were to cause a fire your insurance could be voided.
However if you have a 4-prong dryer receptacle it is really likely you also have a 110V receptacle behind the stacked unit as they became at about the same time. If not converting the 240V receptacle into a 110V receptacle is very straight forward for any electrician assuming your panel isn't so obsolete that breakers are unavailable.
Mopdern stacker units like the one you have aren't terribly awkward to move (the old one had huge chunks of concrete in them that made them very heavy). Most electricians doing residential service are going to be able to do it and I'd guess it would be normal for them to do so in this sort of situation though you may want to mention the need to move the unit when you book the work. Best bet would be to get the electrician out a day or two before the delivery of your new unit. They can pull the unit out and not even bother to push it back in (which is the hard part). Or if logistics permit you could delay booking the electrician until the you know you don't have the proper receptacle and just leave the new unit out until they get there. Your new unit will be very easy to put in place and I can't imagine any electrician hesitating to do so if it is already near the closet.
One thing you can check is whether a breaker labeled washer exists in your panel in addition to one labelled dryer. That would be a strong indicator that the proper receptacle is already installed.
posted by Mitheral at 2:01 PM on December 29, 2022 [4 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks all for the very helpful info. It never even occurred to me that the outlet I need may already be there, or that an electrician could likely pull out the old machine if needed.
posted by bananapants at 6:21 PM on December 29, 2022
posted by bananapants at 6:21 PM on December 29, 2022
Best answer: Your washer almost certainly is plugged into a standard 110V outlet.
Since the replacement all in one is 110V powered, you can just ignore the old 220V dryer outlet.
posted by tomierna at 7:43 AM on December 30, 2022 [1 favorite]
Since the replacement all in one is 110V powered, you can just ignore the old 220V dryer outlet.
posted by tomierna at 7:43 AM on December 30, 2022 [1 favorite]
« Older What's the deal with watch4freemovies.com? | What do you mean, I can't just use my normal plan... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
I don't think the adapter you linked to will work. If you have an 2000 or newer house I might try this adapter. If you have an older house, you could buy a 3 to 4 prong adapter and the adapter I linked to. It's a bit sketchy to stack those adapters together, since the adapter should have that funny extra green wire grounded.
Are you certain there isn't already a 120v outlet behind the washer/dryer?
posted by gregr at 1:20 PM on December 29, 2022