When a dishwasher trips the GFCI outlet, the appliance is likely leaking power causing the safety mechanism in the receptacle to activate. To fix this issue, unplug the dishwasher and check its power components. Most common issues include damaged circuit board, connectors, and/or wash motor.
A dishwasher may be tripping your breaker because of a problem with the heating element, loose or short-circuiting electrical connectors, a shorted transorb, a problematic control circuit board, or even a faulty wash motor.
Your tripping dishwasher may be caused by a plug problem. While we tend to rush to the fuse, the issue may be within the actual plug top or there may be cables that are damaged (severed or blown).
Wiring Dishwasher GFCI NEC Code
Changes have been made to the NEC to include dishwashers in the list of appliances that require GFCI protection. Therefore, if you have a dishwasher, unless your local code says otherwise, you should pair it with GFCI protection.
We advise you to check it by unplugging the dishwasher from the power supply then removing the pump's electrical connectors. Switch the dishwasher back on and test it. If the dishwasher is no longer tripping the power off, you should replace the pump.
The average dishwasher breaker size will be on a minimum of a 15 amps at 120-volt dedicated circuit breaker. Choosing a breaker for your application will depend on the power requirements of your specific dishwasher and the necessary upgrades to comply with some newer regulations.
GFCI Protection:
210.8(A)(10) – All 125V, 15a and 20a receptacles installed in “Laundry Areas” shall have GFCI protection. The NEC doesn't require GFCI protection for clothes washing machines specifically, but it does for “Laundry Areas.”
Dishwashers typically last 10 years, but according to Consumer Reports, about 30% of new dishwashers require some type of repair within the first five years. If your dishwasher is a decade old, it might be worth the cost to replace it instead of attempting a repair.
Can you reset your dishwasher? Yes, you can reset your dishwasher by pressing the Start/Reset button on the appliance and waiting a few minutes. If your dishwasher still doesn't start, you may need to reboot the entire system by turning off power to the appliance at the house circuit breaker or fuse box.
If your dishwasher uses a heating element and you've noticed the dishware is not drying properly, you should first inspect the element for any corrosion, blistering, or cracks. Any visible damage is a strong indicator that the element has burned out and will need to be replaced.
The reason for the dishwasher to stop mid cycle is that the thermal fuse is shorting out because it is either fouled, dirty, broken, or loosely connected. If your dishwasher is older, the thermal fuse is used as a safety switch to stop the motor and circuit board when the dishwasher gets too hot.
How Do I Reset My Dishwasher Control Panel? Simply unplug your dishwasher. Wait for one minute, then plug it back in again, to reset the dishwasher control panel.
Although 10 years, on average, is about how long you can expect your dishwasher to last, some manufacturers boast a longer life span.
It'll cost between $400 and $700 on average to buy a dishwasher. Special features could push your budget upwards of $2,000 including installation. Most homeowners pay about an average of $190 for dishwasher installation labor costs.
How long should a dishwasher last? About 10 years, according to most of the 20-plus manufacturers we asked. CR members tell us they expect the same life span, on average, but that doesn't necessarily mean 10 trouble-free years.
Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) and ground fault interrupters (GFI) are the exact same device under slightly different names. Though GFCI is more commonly used than GFI, the terms are interchangeable.
Dishwasher 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.
Household dishwashers use 10 amps of power, mostly. Having said that, your breaker should be on a higher rating than the appliance being used for safety purposes.
The most common cause of issues with water flow in a dishwasher is a defective water inlet valve. If the inlet valve is malfunctioning, it may not pull water into the appliance when you need it.
The dishwasher will start by itself once the door is closed. A Leakage Error (either LE, LC, or certain combinations of blinking lights) will turn the dishwasher on, and it will not turn off while it attempts to drain the water away. If there is an error code on the dishwasher, troubleshoot it first.
Possible Problem: Clogs or Obstructions
Clogs in your self-cleaning filter, drain hose, or air vent can slow the fill and drain cycles, which means it will take your dishwasher a longer time to complete the wash cycle.
Replacing a dishwasher control panel ranges from $200 to $500, depending on your appliance's make and model.
Press the “Heated Dry” button, followed by pressing the “Normal” button, and then press both buttons again in quick succession. Once you've pressed the two buttons twice, your dishwasher should go into a diagnostic mode, which will cause it to reset. If it doesn't work, try doing it again with the door open.