Basic wiring for washing machine
Discussion
I've just had a new washing machine delivered but I'm having a few issues connecting the electrics. There's one switch on the wall that's accessible and one that sits hidden behind the washing machine (rather than a socket as I expected.) I've disconnected both because I'm not all that bright and only realised my mistake later. I've got two issues now:
1. Is it worth replacing the bottom (hidden) switch with a normal power socket rather than having to hard wire in the new washing machine?
2. I can't work out how it all goes back together in any case.
As you can probably tell I'm not a natural born sparky and I'm a little hesitant to just have a best guess. Any thoughts on the first point, and from the photo's below could someone guide me through reconnecting it all, or will I need to find a sparky?
Top switch (wall):
Top switch:
Bottom switch (wall):
Bottom switch:
1. Is it worth replacing the bottom (hidden) switch with a normal power socket rather than having to hard wire in the new washing machine?
2. I can't work out how it all goes back together in any case.
As you can probably tell I'm not a natural born sparky and I'm a little hesitant to just have a best guess. Any thoughts on the first point, and from the photo's below could someone guide me through reconnecting it all, or will I need to find a sparky?
Top switch (wall):
Top switch:
Bottom switch (wall):
Bottom switch:
If you're not confident you shouldn't be doing it. Sorry to be boring.
BUT, if you were to do it, from what you have posted, it looks pretty easy.
Hole in wall at top: you have a wire coming in from above, and one heading down. Top one is likely to be supply. Wire top-red into "L-supply", top-black into "N-supply", bottom-red into "L-load", bottom-black into "N-load". Wire the earths into the earth terminals on the switch (doesn't matter which one goes into which).
Hole in wall at bottom: you have one wire, which you would do best to wire into a socket, which is easy. And use the plug on the new washing machine to plug it in with (presuming it is supplied with a plug that is.) I've never heard of a hard-wired washing machine unless it's a high-power industrial jobbie.
Oli.
BUT, if you were to do it, from what you have posted, it looks pretty easy.
Hole in wall at top: you have a wire coming in from above, and one heading down. Top one is likely to be supply. Wire top-red into "L-supply", top-black into "N-supply", bottom-red into "L-load", bottom-black into "N-load". Wire the earths into the earth terminals on the switch (doesn't matter which one goes into which).
Hole in wall at bottom: you have one wire, which you would do best to wire into a socket, which is easy. And use the plug on the new washing machine to plug it in with (presuming it is supplied with a plug that is.) I've never heard of a hard-wired washing machine unless it's a high-power industrial jobbie.
Oli.
The machine may not go back far enough if you use a socket. Why did you take the top switch off, those spurs are a bit of a t
t to get back at the best of times. Make sure the ends are not crushed too much and likely to snap off as you screw it back.
Personally I would use a flex outlet plate behind the washer, no need for a second fuse.
Also looks like there are two ring main cables that need to go into the same supply terminals.
t to get back at the best of times. Make sure the ends are not crushed too much and likely to snap off as you screw it back.Personally I would use a flex outlet plate behind the washer, no need for a second fuse.
Also looks like there are two ring main cables that need to go into the same supply terminals.
Have you got pics of the other sides of the switches?
As above have said, top one is the main switch, there are two grey twin and earth cables coming into it from the top. The two red wires go together in to the supply L fixing and the two black to the supply N.
The bottom grey twin and earth goes down the wall to the outlet, this get connected to the load terminals, red to L black to N. The three earth wires go into the bare brass earth tabs. You can put all three in one or split them so two are in one and one on its own.
Does the machine have a plug?
As above have said, top one is the main switch, there are two grey twin and earth cables coming into it from the top. The two red wires go together in to the supply L fixing and the two black to the supply N.
The bottom grey twin and earth goes down the wall to the outlet, this get connected to the load terminals, red to L black to N. The three earth wires go into the bare brass earth tabs. You can put all three in one or split them so two are in one and one on its own.
Does the machine have a plug?
zcacogp said:
If you're not confident you shouldn't be doing it. Sorry to be boring.
BUT, if you were to do it, from what you have posted, it looks pretty easy.
Hole in wall at top: you have a wire coming in from above, and one heading down. Top one is likely to be supply. Wire top-red into "L-supply", top-black into "N-supply", bottom-red into "L-load", bottom-black into "N-load". Wire the earths into the earth terminals on the switch (doesn't matter which one goes into which).
Hole in wall at bottom: you have one wire, which you would do best to wire into a socket, which is easy. And use the plug on the new washing machine to plug it in with (presuming it is supplied with a plug that is.) I've never heard of a hard-wired washing machine unless it's a high-power industrial jobbie.
Oli.
Did that all, worked fine - thanks Oli.BUT, if you were to do it, from what you have posted, it looks pretty easy.
Hole in wall at top: you have a wire coming in from above, and one heading down. Top one is likely to be supply. Wire top-red into "L-supply", top-black into "N-supply", bottom-red into "L-load", bottom-black into "N-load". Wire the earths into the earth terminals on the switch (doesn't matter which one goes into which).
Hole in wall at bottom: you have one wire, which you would do best to wire into a socket, which is easy. And use the plug on the new washing machine to plug it in with (presuming it is supplied with a plug that is.) I've never heard of a hard-wired washing machine unless it's a high-power industrial jobbie.
Oli.
vdp1 said:
The machine may not go back far enough if you use a socket. Why did you take the top switch off, those spurs are a bit of a tt to get back at the best of times. Make sure the ends are not crushed too much and likely to snap off as you screw it back.
Also looks like there are two ring main cables that need to go into the same supply terminals.
With the piping I figured space would be about the same regardless and it seemed to work with a socket. I removed the top switch before I pulled the washing machine out and realised there was a bottom switch. Managed to get it all back together although the screw fixing the switch in snapped and my local Homebase don't have anything close, but ones enough for now.t to get back at the best of times. Make sure the ends are not crushed too much and likely to snap off as you screw it back.Also looks like there are two ring main cables that need to go into the same supply terminals.
JM said:
Have you got pics of the other sides of the switches?
As above have said, top one is the main switch, there are two grey twin and earth cables coming into it from the top. The two red wires go together in to the supply L fixing and the two black to the supply N.
The bottom grey twin and earth goes down the wall to the outlet, this get connected to the load terminals, red to L black to N. The three earth wires go into the bare brass earth tabs. You can put all three in one or split them so two are in one and one on its own.
Does the machine have a plug?
The machine has a plug so it made sense/seemed easier to replace the bottom switch for a socket.As above have said, top one is the main switch, there are two grey twin and earth cables coming into it from the top. The two red wires go together in to the supply L fixing and the two black to the supply N.
The bottom grey twin and earth goes down the wall to the outlet, this get connected to the load terminals, red to L black to N. The three earth wires go into the bare brass earth tabs. You can put all three in one or split them so two are in one and one on its own.
Does the machine have a plug?
Thanks for the tips everyone, it's all in and the machine seems to be working so SWMBO should leave me in peace until the next thing breaks.
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