You sure can. Be sure the plug has a ground prong and attach ground wire of the dishwasher to the plug.
This can be done by using a 12 gauge cord and a romex clamp where the cord comes out of the power box in the dishwasher, or simply running romex as far as needed, cutting it and adding a cord cap/aka plug.
Unlike plug-in appliances, a dishwasher must be hardwired and hooked up to the home's plumbing. If you're for the challenge of installing it yourself, you can save a lot of money. Installing a dishwasher may seem daunting, but with the right instructions and a little care, it can be a rewarding DIY.
Yes one can put a power-cord and plug on a hard-wired appliance, remembering the following: The voltage must be the same.
Things You'll Need
However, if you have an electrical outlet under your counter where you plan to install your dishwasher, you can forgo the direct connection and install a standard pigtail plug on your dishwasher.
Dishwasher Circuit
When installing a dishwasher, the circuit should be a dedicated 120/125-volt, 15-amp circuit.
NEC 210.8. D specifies that dishwashers must be GFCI protected, and doesn't differentiate between cord-and-cap or direct connection (as it defines an outlet as any connection).
Hardwired devices are connected directly into the electrical framework of the home. These products are normally installed when the home was built or by a third party. There are some pros and cons to having a hardwired appliance. Hardwired devices have fewer wires making for a cleaner, more organized look.
What is a Hardwired Appliance? Hardwired appliances run on a dedicated circuit, which means their wires are spliced directly into a junction box to permanently connect them with the electrical wiring in your home.
Are built-in dishwashers hardwired? Built-in dishwashers are hardwired. Because of this, you will have to inspect if your home's electrical output has everything it needs for a safe installation. This typically includes a grounded electrical outlet and a dedicated 15 amp circuit.
A hard wired connection for a dishwasher is an outlet and GFCI protection would still be required. In this case, the most common solution would be to use a GFCI type circuit breaker at the panelboard where the branch circuit for the dishwasher originates.
Kitchen Appliances
Ranges, wall ovens, some garbage disposals, dishwashers and freezers require dedicated circuits. Most refrigerators will require a dedicated circuit.
UL 749 requires the installation instructions for a household dishwasher to state that the power supply receptacle for the dishwasher must be installed in a cabinet or on a wall adjacent to the under counter space in which the appliance is to be installed.
If you're installing a new dishwasher in a home for the first time, the home may need to be wired or rewired in order to create a dedicated circuit. Many states require electrical work to be done by a licensed electrician, so you may need to hire another professional in addition to a plumber.
Professionals charge between $100 and $450 with an average of $190 for a basic installation into a pre-existing infrastructure. They will also take care of disposing of your old dishwasher for you, which is an added bonus.
Think of the hardwired EVSE like an HVAC unit which also needs a dedicated line of power and cannot simply be plugged into the wall outlet. The plug-in charger is just that; it directly plugs into a wall outlet and potentially requires no installation if you have a compatible wall outlet handy.
You can do what we call “hardwire” the lights to the box. The reason for the cord and plug is to have a way to easily disconnect the lights from the power supply at the fixture as opposed to having to turn off the breaker. Your call—it's perfectly legal.
When electricians use the term “Hard Wired”, it simply means the device is not plug and cord connected. Compare a ceiling light that is operated by a wall switch versus a table lamp that is plugged into an outlet. The ceiling light is Hard Wired - the table lamp is cord & plug connected.
Wire a plug to maintain correct polarity
The worry is that a miswired plug poses a fairly serious shock hazard. The key is to make sure you connect the wires to the proper terminals in the plug.
Starting with the earth, then neutral and then live is usually the easiest order for wiring the terminals. Check the wiring is correct and all the terminal screws are tight. Loose screws can cause overheating. Tighten the cord clamp over the cable.
Water and electricity do not go well together. If your dishwasher has a leak and that water is making contact with electrical parts, it can cause the circuit breaker to trip unexpectedly.
For a built-in dishwasher, the length of the cord shall be 0.9 m to 2.0 m (3 ft to 6.5 ft) measured from the face of the attachment plug to the plane of the rear of the appliance. Receptacles shall be located to protect against physical damage to the flexible cord.
Yes, you can run a dishwasher and refrigerator on the same circuit, although it is preferable not to. Let them have their dedicated circuit. A refrigerator should have 20-amps, and a dishwasher should have 15 amps.