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07-17-2012, 12:41 PM
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#1
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: South Shore
Posts: 6,009
M.O.C. #7110
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Washer/Dryer on 20AMP breaker question.
I was looking into replacing the plugs that came on the washer & dryer to the flat side plug-in type. There simply isn’t room to use the regular plugs that came with the stackable washer/dryer.
What I found out is that the washer & dryer is rated for 15 AMP and shouldn’t pull over 12-13 amps ea. total. This however is plugged into a circuit that is using 20 amp breakers. Since the appliance is rated for 15 amps shouldn’t the breakers be 15 amps also; even if it’s just for the wiring going to the appliance? This doesn’t set well with my thinking and what I’ve learned over the years for proper protection.
For those that bought the units new did they come with 15amp or 20amp breakers on the washer/dryer circuits?
__________________
2011 GMC 4X4 dually CC, 6.6 Duramax with Allison Transmission. Formally 2001 Montana,2007 3400RL Montana, presently 2018 3401RS Alpine.
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07-17-2012, 01:20 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: New Bern
Posts: 4,372
M.O.C. #8728
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Bill,
As long as the wire is 20 amp wire, you are ok.
Jim
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07-17-2012, 03:23 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sebring
Posts: 3,659
M.O.C. #9969
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x2 Jim's comment, breaker size is determined by wire size, not what you might plug into it.
__________________
Michelle & Ann
2018 Chevy 3500HD High Country DRW 4X4 Crew Cab w/Duramax/Allison, Formally 2010 Montana 2955RL, Now Loaded 2016 SOB, Mor/ryde IS, Disc Brakes & Pin Box, Comfort Ride Hitch, Sailun 17.5 Tires.
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07-17-2012, 03:54 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: South Shore
Posts: 6,009
M.O.C. #7110
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I was told the appliances wouldn’t pull over 12-13 amps ea.
Will the washer or dryer run ok on a 15 amp breaker?
Is anyone using 15 amp breakers?
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07-17-2012, 04:03 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,167
M.O.C. #6433
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NEC says a breaker should be sized for 80% of the expected load. If they approached 100%, they would tend to run hot, or at least quite warm. And since breakers are stacked side by side, they will also tend to heat each other.
Since breakers are typically sized in increments of 5 amps, the logical size would be 20 amps.
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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07-18-2012, 10:33 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Waterford
Posts: 3,693
M.O.C. #7500
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Bill hit it square on the head. If you fequently exceed 80% of a breaker's rated capacity, you will shorten its life, causing it to trip more than it should, until it won't stay on at all.
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07-18-2012, 10:56 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2003
Location: New Bern
Posts: 4,294
M.O.C. #311
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I loosened the outlets top and bottom wing "holder" and and let them slid into the wall with the unit plugged in. I did not think even a 90 degree plug would properly work.
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07-18-2012, 12:04 PM
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#8
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: East Moriches
Posts: 418
M.O.C. #6436
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The wire is sized to the amperage of the breaker, or the breaker is selected to the ampacity of the wire. The load should only be 80% of the circuit capacity. For a 15 amp circuit the load should not exceed 12 amps. For a 20 amp circuit it is 16 amps.
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07-18-2012, 12:05 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: New Bern
Posts: 4,372
M.O.C. #8728
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Angle plugs are available at electrical supply houses and I've even picked them up at Lowes.
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07-18-2012, 12:12 PM
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#10
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: East Moriches
Posts: 418
M.O.C. #6436
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Angle plugs are fine. Make sure it is a 20 amp, 115 volt one.
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07-18-2012, 01:47 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: K.C.
Posts: 11,731
M.O.C. #5980
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I use the angle plugs for my restaurant work, it keeps the cord close to the wall. I buy them at Johnstone supply also.
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07-18-2012, 05:19 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Copperas Cove
Posts: 1,426
M.O.C. #12096
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Make sure the breaker is marked correctly. We just had an episode where the AC quit working. Checked the breakers and the only one that was thrown was the washer/dryer which would be right since we don't have a washer/dryer. I was ready to take it in to the dealer since I could not figure out why the AC would not come on till just for the heck of it, I threw the washer/dryer breaker on,,,,,yep the AC started right up. So the AC and the washer/dryer breakers are marked wrong.
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