Because prevention is always better than cure, follow the advice of this seasoned professional so that your house does not go up in smoke. The cause is a dangerous connection that must be avoided at all costs.
At home, the washing machine and dryer are connected to the same power strip and you don’t see the problem? Ouch. However, it is strongly discouraged by professionals, for all the risks it represents: electrical overload, overheating and fire, deterioration of devices and non-compliance with safety standards.
You should know that a washing machine and a dryer consume a lot of energy, especially when they operate simultaneously. A conventional power strip is generally not designed to withstand such cumulative power, which can cause overloading or even overheating of cables and electrical components, thereby increasing the risk of fire.
Also, it happens that power strips, especially when they are cheap, heat up if they are subjected to too high an electrical intensity. And if they do not have integrated protection (circuit breaker or fuse), they can even melt or catch fire. Not to mention that the electrical voltage can fluctuate if the power strip is overloaded and cause the devices to malfunction or reduce their lifespan. Sensitive electronic components, especially in modern machines, can be damaged. Finally, home insurance can refuse to cover an electrical disaster or a fire if they find that the devices were connected in an improper manner.
To avoid the worst, an electrician gives his advice for a secure installation. If you only have one available electrical outlet nearby to plug in a washing machine and dryer, it’s crucial to choose a model with surge protection and capable of handling high current: at least 3,500 W, or 16A, which corresponds to the combined power of the two devices. Check this information on the label or data sheet. A power strip with a built-in circuit breaker or fuse will also protect your devices in the event of an overload. Keep in mind that the best thing is to alternate the use of the appliances and not to run the washing machine and dryer at the same time.
The ideal solution is still to call an electrician to add an additional socket or transform the single socket into a double wall socket. Enough to allow each device to have a separate connection, while respecting electrical standards. He can also check that the electrical circuit can support the total power of the two devices. You know everything!
