Home Garden

Can You Replace a Power Cord on a Portable Dishwasher?

Portable dishwashers are designed for you to move them around the kitchen as needed. Some of them include cutting boards or other useful surfaces on top of the dishwasher so they can serve alternative purposes as needed. The dishwasher is on wheels and you must wheel it over to an outlet to use it. When not in use, you can store it in a closet or pantry. If your power cord for the dishwasher is damaged or lost, you can usually replace it.
  1. Power Cords and Electricity

    • If you still have your power cord and it is not noticeably damaged, examine your dishwasher carefully before replacing the cord. Sometimes wiring inside the dishwasher may be faulty, causing it to lose power even though the cord is still working correctly. Some patience and an ohmmeter can help you test other key types of wiring, or hire a professional to do it for you and ensure that the power cord really is the source of the problem.

    Switching Power Cords

    • You can switch power cords, but you need to make sure that you switch to the right kind of cord. Always order replacement parts directly from your manufacturer. Do not try to use any other type of cord other than an official replacement part. Check your warranties to see if you qualify for a free replacement. When ready, make sure your dishwasher is fully disconnected and turned off before beginning work.

    Switching Process

    • Your power cord is held into the terminal box in the inspection panel with a series of screws. Undo these screws carefully to remove the panel and loosen the cord. The cord should have both a disconnect option to easily remove, and a separate ground wire that you also need to pull out. If there is no easy disconnect option, it is better to call in a professional to rewire the system rather than try to deal with it yourself. But if you can order a replacement cord, chances are good you can deal with the replacement project yourself.

    Building In

    • Building in occurs when you find a permanent spot for your portable dishwasher. In this case you can buy a kit to hook up a long-term house water supply to your unit, but you will not be able to switch out the power cord. You still need the previous power cord to hook up your system into a built-in position. If you need to replace the cord, do so before building in and do not confuse building in with a replacement of the electrical system on your unit.