Does a dishwasher need 15 or 20 amps?

Author: Ansley Huels  |  Last update: Sunday, January 4, 2026

An average dishwasher draws around 10 amps. This number can range from 10 to 15 amps, depending on these factors: Size and capacity of the dishwasher.

Can a washer run off a 15-amp breaker?

GE and Hotpoint, Top-Load, Front-Load, as well as Portable and Stationary Spacemaker and Space-Saving Washers. Requires a 120 Volt, 60 Hertz, individual, properly grounded branch circuit with a 3 prong grounding type receptacle, protected by a 15 or 20 Amp circuit breaker or time-delay fuse.

How many amps are needed for a dishwasher?

A dishwasher circuit typically requires a dedicated 15-amp or 20-amp circuit, depending on the specific appliance and local electrical codes. Most residential dishwashers have power requirements between 1,200 and 1,500 watts, which translates to 10 to 12.5 amps on a 120-volt circuit.

What happens if I plug a 20 amp appliance into a 15-amp outlet?

Normally you won't find a 20A plug on a device unless it sometimes needs 20A. So to plug such a device in 15A receptacle (which is what this is for) would be plugging a 20A appliance into a 15A circuit and possibly blowing a fuse.

What appliances require 15 amps?

The electrical current, measured in amperes (amps), determines how much power can flow through the outlet at one time. 15-Amp Outlets: These outlets are the most common in homes. They are suitable for lower power devices like lamps, televisions, and small kitchen appliances.

Can 15 Amp Outlets Be Used On A 20 Amp Circuit Breaker

Can a dishwasher be on a 15 amp circuit?

Dishwashers: typically, a standard 15-amp circuit using a 14/2 NM conduit can readily power an off-the-rack dishwasher. However, if you plan on adding garbage disposal unit to the circuit, you must use a 20-amp breaker and 12/2 wire.

Is a 15 or 20 amp outlet for a dishwasher?

A 15-amp circuit, using 14/2 NM wire with a ground, is suitable for smaller, compact dishwashers. The standard and more common option is a 20-amp circuit. It uses 12/2 NM wire with a ground and provides extra power for larger and more conventional dishwashers.

How much does it cost to change a 15 amp breaker to a 20 amp breaker?

Circuit breaker replacement costs $100 to $260 on average. Installing or adding a new circuit breaker switch costs $150 to $300, depending on the type, amps, and circuit length and complexity. Replacing a main breaker switch costs $200 to $600, while replacing a circuit breaker panel costs $850 to $4,000.

What appliances use 20 amps?

Where You'll Find a 20 Amp GFCI Outlet
  • Kitchens: Refrigerators, blenders, microwave ovens, and other high-power kitchen appliances.
  • Garages: Drills, saws, air compressors, and other types of power tools and heavy equipment.

Is bathroom GFCI 15 or 20 amp?

One 20-amp branch circuit is required for bathrooms in dwelling units.

Does a dishwasher need a dedicated 20 amp circuit?

When installing a dishwasher, the circuit should be a dedicated 120/125-volt, 15-amp circuit. This 15-amp circuit is fed with a 14/2 NM wire with a ground. You may also elect to feed the dishwasher with a 20-amp circuit using 12/2 NM wire with a ground.

What are the electrical requirements for a dishwasher?

All receptacles in kitchen now need GFCI. Electric ranges require 240-volt, 50-amp circuits. The following appliances require individual 120-volt branch circuits: Dishwashers, 15- or 20-amp circuits depending on the electrical load, GFCI protection required.

How many amps for a dishwasher?

A typical household dishwasher will use 10 amps, whereas larger models may use up to 15 amps. There are a few ways to check the amperage of your dishwasher: Check the manufacturer's details or the Energy Rating, use a power meter, or determine the amps from the appliance's wattage.

Are washing machines 15 or 20 amp?

On average, a washing machine uses 400W to 1400W of electricity with an amp rating of 5 - 15 amps.

Can a fridge be on a 15 amp breaker?

Most refrigerators run between 3 to 6 amps. However, they can experience sudden spikes, which can cause them to run at around 15 amps. As a result, a refrigerator must run on a circuit that is capable of handling these occasional spikes.

Should I use 15 or 20 amps in my kitchen?

On a regular basis, most people will almost exclusively use 15 amp outlets. However, there are situations where 20 amp outlets are necessary. This is because 20 amp outlets are designed to handle devices that need more power. This usually means powerful kitchen equipment like refrigerators or electric stoves.

What happens if you put a 15 amp outlet on a 20 amp circuit?

Key Takeaways. 15 amp receptacles can be safely used on 20 amp circuits as described by electrical code. Receptacles may overheat if overloaded, especially with high-consumption devices like space heaters, even if the circuit breaker doesn't trip.

How many amps does a fridge use?

A full-size fridge and freezer combination uses 3 to 6 amps on average, but some refrigerators go as high as 15 amps. The amps depend on the fridge's model, make, year, and size. Most modern standard-size refrigerators should be on a 20-amp 120-volt dedicated circuit.

Is it OK to replace a 15 amp breaker with a 20 amp?

A question we see often is “Can I replace my 15-amp breaker with a 20-amp breaker? My smaller breaker keeps tripping!” The answer: It's possible, but not advisable without an electrician evaluating the situation.

How much does it cost to have a 20 amp outlet installed?

If you're adding a dedicated circuit in your garage, you may only need a 15- to 20-amp to use your tools. You can expect to pay $250 to $900 for dedicated circuit installation in your garage, with an average cost of $650.

Why does my 15 amp breaker keep tripping?

Common reasons your breaker keeps tripping include circuit overload, a short circuit, or a ground fault.

Should a dishwasher be on its own breaker?

Although modern home appliance circuits are typically set up to handle high electrical capacities, the National Electrical Code (NEC) requires that large appliances, and certain smaller ones, operate on their own dedicated circuits.

Can a dishwasher be plugged into a normal outlet?

The simple answer is that it depends on the model of the dishwasher. Most dishwashers come with a power cord plugged into an outlet, but some models must be hardwired. Definitely consult your dishwasher owner's manual or installation instructions.

What amp plug for a dishwasher?

Some appliances, such as lamps, televisions, computers, fridges and freezers generally require a 3 amp fuse. However washing machines, dishwashers, microwaves, kettles, toasters and irons usually require 13 amp fuses.

Previous article
What is the best water psi for a house?
Next article
Why is toilet paper whitened?