Do I need a surge protector for my dryers/washers?
Washers and dryers are sophisticated enough that a strong surge can destroy them. They are also expensive. If you don’t want to lose your investment, you have to protect the appliance with a surge protector.
However, the average homeowner doesn’t require a surge protector for every single appliance in their home.
The question you have to ask is whether or not a washer/dryer is among those appliances that require a surge protector. Some experts says that you should only use surge protectors to defend devices with sensitive microprocessors such as desktops and gaming systems. But is that true? You have to keep reading to find out.
Many people are convinced that surge protectors are unnecessary where washers and dryers are concerned. As you saw above, they believe that you should only use surge protectors to protect items with sensitive circuitry and they argue that washers and dryers do not fit this criterion.
But that is not entirely true!
Do You Need a Surge Protector For Your Washer/Dryer?
The washers and dryers you will find on the market today vary drastically from older models. They have a lot of sophisticated functions. It has also found that they use sensitive circuit boards that are vulnerable to electrical surges. If you don’t want to lose such a significant investment, buy a surge protector.
For that reason, you are better off plugging your washer/dryer into a surge protector, even if it is just a precaution. This is especially true for expensive washers and dryers.
They are no different from an insurance policy. In fact, CNET has realized that surge protector manufacturers like Belkin have warranties that cover the repair and replacement costs of any appliance that is destroyed by a surge while it is plugged into their surge protector.
Is It Safe To Plug Dryers/Washers To a Surge Protector?
If you have the wrong surge protector, you may start a fire by plugging a washer/dryer into it. If the surge protector is strong enough, you have nothing to worry about.
Washers and dryers are expensive and sophisticated enough these days to warrant the use of surge protectors. However, experts in the field have spent a lot of time discouraging homeowners from plugging hungry-power appliances into power strips and surge protectors.
They want people to plug refrigerators, microwaves, and the like directly into wall outlets. This is because plugging a power-hungry appliance into a power strip or surge protector is dangerous.
Not only are you more likely to start a fire but a surge protector that has been overloaded by an appliance can electrocute the consumer. Because washers and dryers are powerful appliances, they are associated with the same risks as refrigerators and microwaves where surge protectors are concerned.
In that regard, you can see why experts would conclude that it is not safe to plug washers and dryers into a surge protector.
But is that true? Well, it is a bad idea to use a surge protector with a refrigerator but people do it all the time because the market is full of surge protectors that are strong enough to mitigate the risks associated with powerful appliances. Washers and dryers are the same.
Can I Plug My Dryer Into A Surge Protector – How?
You cannot plug a dryer or a washer into any surge protector. To avoid risks like fires, you have to select the right surge protector. You are also expected to take the necessary precautions. Consider the following:
1). 14 Gauge or Greater
Appliances like space heaters and fridges are a problem because they draw so much power that they can cause overloading and overheating. But if you have a surge protector with a gauge of 14 or greater, it can safely transmit the power a washer/ dryer needs.
2). 400 Joule Rating
This tells you the amount of energy the surge protector can absorb whenever a surge occurs. If you must use a surge protector with your washer, you should get one with protections of 400 joules or greater. Some experts are convinced that 600 joules should be the minimum.
3). Clamping Voltage
This is the amount of voltage that can trigger a surge protector’s response. The clamping voltage you have chosen to prioritize will depend on the strength of the surges you normally encounter in your area.
4). Capacity Of Surge Protector Should Match the Power
The washer/dryer should be the only appliance plugged into the surge protector. Otherwise, you ran the risk of overloading it. You should also ensure that the capacity of the surge protector matches the power needs of the washer/dryer.
The certification is very important. A surge protector that Underwriters Laboratories has vetted is more likely to power your washer/dryer without overloading.
Best Surge Protector For Dryer
Because of the dangers associated with washers, dryers, and surge protectors, you should always buy the best possible surge protector to minimize the risks involved, with some notable options including:
1). Tripp Lite Isobar
Besides an impressive $10,000 insurance, this surge protector has a convenient design that is compatible with most setups, UL 1449 certification, a 15A circuit breaker, and 1410-joule protection, not to mention EMI/RFI noise filtering, diagnostic LEDs, and a pair of protected AC outlets.
2). Appliance Shield New Top Rated Protector
This item is powerful enough to defend against surges, spikes, and brownouts. Designed to work with powerful appliances, it disconnects the power automatically whenever the power supply becomes unstable. It will also reconnect the power once the power supply becomes stable.
3). Leviton 5280-W 15 Ampe
This point-of-use surge protector is versatile enough to tackle commercial, residential, and even industrial applications. The 15 Amp, 125V device offers EMI/RFI noise filtering, a pair of outlets, diagnostic LED, and a 10-year warranty.
4). Supco APP120
This surge protector is a powerhouse that can protect everything from washing machines and dryers to AC units and refrigerators from surges as well as the damage that blackouts can cause. It comes with three light indicators and a side plugin.
Conclusion
You can plug your washer/dryer into a surge protector without suffering any consequences if you get a sufficiently powerful surge protector and if you fight the temptation to plug additional appliances into the same surge protector.
However, Some experts will tell you that it isn’t safe because power-hungry appliances of this sort are supposed to be plugged directly into a wall outlet.