What Amp Breaker Do I Use for a Dishwasher?

Appliance Aid

• The recommended breaker amperage for a dishwasher varies among appliance experts. According to the appliance repair website Appliance Aid, a dishwasher should use a breaker with minimum amperage of 15 amps and maximum amperage of 20 amps. The site advises placing the dishwasher on a separate circuit.

Relectric

• The website Relectric advises breakers of 15 to 20 amps for small appliances and light fixtures. However, the website recommends breakers of 20 to 30 amps for large appliances, which dishwashers are classified as. Microwaves, clothes dryers and stoves are also considered large appliances that require more than 15 to 20 amps.

Check This House

• The website Check this House advises using a 9-amp to 12-amp breaker for dishwashers. In addition, the site warns that an appliance should consume less than 80 percent of the circuit's maximum output if it is on a separate circuit. It should consume less than half of the circuit if something else is on the same circuit. For example, an appliance using 6 amps and an appliance using 2 amps can be installed on the same 20 amp circuit breaker because they have a combined amperage of 8, which is less than half of the 20-amp circuit breaker's limit.

Other Considerations

• Your dishwasher tripping the circuit breaker is an indication that there is an electrical problem and the circuits are overloaded. In addition, sometimes the breaker will not trip but will instead making loud humming or buzzing noises to indicate it is overloaded. Have a professional investigate this situation; replace the breaker in question. Sparks emitting from the circuit breaker are normally the result of faulty wiring, and repairing the wiring should solve this problem.