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You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Home Improvement/Repair > Electrical Wiring in the Home > Installing Appliances
Expert: Greg Hughes - 11/2/2009
Question
I will be installing a dishwasher in my mobile home tomorrow and have a few questions.
1) Am I able to hardwire the dishwasher directly into a power outlet? This outlet runs off a GFCI down the line.
2) If not, and you suggest running it on it's own circuit, how would I go about adding a new circuit? My box is on the other side of the house.
Also, next month I will be adding in a garbage disposal as well and I was wondering how I would go about adding in a switch for it's power. I have done this before in my previous home, however; this time the only place I would be able to put the switch, would be in the middle of the above power outlet and the GFCI outlet.
I'm really worried about causing a fire or something and I also have no idea about the codes in my state (Kentucky) on what I can and can't do or what I must do. Please let me know your advise.
Answer
I am not familiar with local codes for your area and you may need a permit for what you are doing. Mobile homes are different from regular homes and they have codes for them that some time differ from regular homes.
If you have aluminum wiring I strongly suggest you have a qualified electrician do this work. If you have copper wiring I still suggest you have a qualified electrician do the work.
Yes you need a new circuit ran. No, you do not want the dishwasher on a gfci circuit. No, you do not want the dishwasher on the same circuit as the kitchen counter outlets or refrigerator.
Basically, from the service panel (if there is enough room for another circuit) the new circuit will be carried down and over to the back of the dishwasher through approved conduit and hard-wired into the dishwasher.
For the garbage disposal, it may need it's own circuit as well. What the electrician will most likely do is run the power over to the area under the sink and install an outlet. From the outlet they will run cable up to a switch they will install above the counter. The other option is to go with the garbage disposal that has the switch built into the lip and the cover activates it. I know Kitchen Aid makes one.
You are justified in your concerns of causing a fire or something. Which is why it is would be wise to hire a qualified electrician from your area that knows the local codes and codes for a mobile home.
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