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Dishwasher Wired to Switch.....Have You Ever Seen This?

I ran across this again today and am wondering:

1. Why they are wired this way.

2. Do they do this in other parts of the country.

3. How many of you have seen this also.

The first time I saw this was about 7 years ago when I was inspecting a fairly new home and noticed the dishwasher was not powering on. I checked the breakers in the panel and none were tripped so I just assumed that the washer was not wired or broke. I then turned on the garbage disposer but at first flipped on the wrong switch above the counter and noticed the dishwasher came on. I could not understand why the dishwasher was wired through a wall switch, so I just assumed the electrician messed up on the wiring. But over the years, I have run across this a few more times and again today. Do any of you understand why they do this? I guess if you answer the phone in the kitchen and want to pause it, you could flip the switch, but it would be no more trouble to just crack the door open. On these newer electronic models, I'm wondering if this would cause it to lose the cycle program and reset.

Any thoughts?

Kent Keith

Fort Worth Home Inspector

Posted by Fort Worth Home Inspector Kent Keith on 09/11/2008 08:06 PM

Comments (29)

home applicances, home inspections, dishwasher, electrical wiring, electrical switch

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29 Comments on Dishwasher Wired to Switch.....Have You Ever Seen This?

SEP

2008

Nope. I can say I have never seen that before. Pausing it is a thought but that is pretty extreme in my mind

You see that every so often in the Dallas area. I've been told it's a child-proofing thing. A child can push the buttons all they want, but when they can't reach the switch, it's not coming on. Good idea!

Donna,

Thanks, I never thought about child proofing, as long as you can keep them off the counter!

Kent Keith

Fort Worth / Dallas Home Inspector

This practice started in the sixties, where the idea was that it was supposed to be a safety feature for working on the dishwasher (why a switch, I have no clue). I have been seeing builders do this more often again, but I am not sure why. One seller just assumed their dishwasher did not work, so they never used it (their inspector told them it was broken, so they were shocked when I was checking it by running the dishwasher). Others think it is for a light that was never installed. I amke a point of mentioning it in my report, and verbally to my clients, since many people are unfamiliar with it.

My house that was built in the 70's in Plano has a switch for the dishwasher. I never knew why it was built this way. I never turn it off. It just seems like a waste.

Have not seen that one!

I have seen them on switches before. They often are not going to be a good idea as a disconnect for servicing because the dishwasher often shares a neutral with another circuit----so there could still be "potential" at the dishwasher from the other circuit. Theoretically both circuits would need to be shut down (back at the distribution panel) when a shared neutral is involved.

Good explanation Charles, I learn something new every day on these sites!

SEP

2008

All dishwashers are wired this way in Ohio, in new homes. I'm pretty sure there is even code about it.

A wall switch that is in sight is considered to be an acceptable disconnect for a dishwasher.

I have seen this before but most homeowner's just leave it on to the "on"mode.

I wonder if that is the extra switch in kitchens I see sometimes that doesn't seem to make anything work?

Kent

I used to install appliances for Sears many years back , and the only reason sombody would do that is because they thought it was required by code.

SEP

2008

A cord and plug is also allowed to be used to meet the disconnect rule.

The breaker can be the disconnect means if it is "insight" of the appliance, motor.

IF the disposal or dishwasher is still hardwired do not ask for a disconnect means. Unless you like to site 'code'.

It is a newer 'code' requirement.

Hmmm.... I have definetly seen that before but I, like you, thought it was a mistake. In my case I am pretty sure it was because the dishwasher and the disposal BOTH came on with the switch.

Yeah , they tapped off the same wall outlet .

SEP

2008

Hey Kent,

I use to have a house w/o a dishwasher, so I installed one. In the course of wiring it up, I didn't realize that I wired it into a switch in the basement. It took me a few days to figure out why it was only working speradically..... When I realized what I did, I couldn't believe it.

Sean Allen

I have yet to find a home with a switched dishwasher, but as a child-proofing safety measure it does make a lot of sense.

SEP

2008

Using a switch for the disconnect means is OK unless you have a shared neutral. Then a cord and plug is required.

This all depends on what was codified in your area at the time of installation.

OCT

2008

Its for code. Some areas require a serive switch installed

OCT

2008

In Austin area, it's common to have the on/off wall switch. I've had several buyers call me after the sale wondering why the dishwasher all of a sudden wasn't working not realizing there is a on/off switch.

I see them wired to a switch once in a while.

I have never heard of that before. Thanks for the info. Now if I ever run across a dishwasher that has no power, I'll be on the lookout for a wall switch.

OCT

2008

I never saw this till my boss bought a home in richmond ky. I just bought a house and its like that too! strange.

Never saw it in western PA

NOV

2008

Have came across it a few times in different towns in Massachusetts.

JAN

Had one here in SouthEastern PA. Found one during the inspection process. That was a first.

Thanks for the post.

Jan Gaweda 610-653-0386

MAY

wow i have one in my house, im trying to hook my new dishwasher up to it but i keep blowing the circuit, Can anybody tell me the right way to hook it up.

Nick,

It sounds like you are connecting the hot (black wire) and the neutral (white wire) to the switch, causing a short and blowing the breaker. The switch should just break the hot (black) wire so connect each side from the dishwasher and the electrical feed wire of the black wire to the two switch terminals, then white wire from the disheasher to the white wire from the electrical feed. Then connect the bare ground wires together.

Hope his helps,

Kent

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