Surge Protection

[Mike Soda]

This is sorta tech related but I put in off topic anyway. I need to get a surge protector for our washing machine. I know you're not technically supposed to use an appliance on one but it could really benefit us. Currently our washer's timer is deflective. So unless the lid is lifted ASAP when the load is done, there's a good chance it'll start washing all over again. So each night we have to unplug the stupid thing so it won't start randomly washing on it's own. I found this model on Amazon which should handle the load. Most washers are 15 AMP & it's rated for 20, although the plug is different, ours are just the normal 2 straight with 1 round ground at the bottom. While one of it's are sideways, would I need an adapter or something? I've tried finding others but the only 2, 20 AMP surge protectors Amazon has have that same design. All the 15 AMP ones are normal plugs but I've heard that if I get a surge protector with the same max load as what our washer would put out all the time, it could constantly trip itself. Any advice y'all have I'd appreciate it, we've tried having the timer replaced but they go out too often & replacing the washer itself is way out of budget for a very long time & we've already had to put up with this for years.

[davrosG5]

Do you actually mean a surge protector? A surge protector is designed to protect your appliance, whatever it is, from electrical surges from the mains electricity supply. I don't see any way this would help with the situation you described.

If the fault with the washing machine was caused by a power surge it's too late - the damage has already occurred.

You could get a simple timer switch so you could set it to switch off the power around the end of the washing cycle or look to have the timer device in the washing machine repaired. Alternatively, you could just replace the washing machine with a properly working one - if you do that then, assuming the original timer fault was actually caused by a power surge, getting a surge protector might be worthwhile depending on how reliable or otherwise your electrical supply is.

[Mike Soda]

2 hours ago, davrosG5 said:

Do you actually mean a surge protector? A surge protector is designed to protect your appliance, whatever it is, from electrical surges from the mains electricity supply. I don't see any way this would help with the situation you described.

If the fault with the washing machine was caused by a power surge it's too late - the damage has already occurred.

You could get a simple timer switch so you could set it to switch off the power around the end of the washing cycle or look to have the timer device in the washing machine repaired. Alternatively, you could just replace the washing machine with a properly working one - if you do that then, assuming the original timer fault was actually caused by a power surge, getting a surge protector might be worthwhile depending on how reliable or otherwise your electrical supply is.

A surge protector power strip yes, the long things with multiple outlets you plug into an existing outlet. Yes I know the washer is already damaged, I want to plug it into a power strip anyway so when a cycle is complete, all my mother has to do is flip the switch on the power strip mounted elsewhere. Currently she has to try & reach behind the washing machine & unplug it so it doesn't randomly start washing all over again. Because of her health & height though she's unable to unplug or plug it back in all the way. So a lot of the time it's partly exposed which I know could cause a spark & fire. We've replaced the timer before but for this model they only last a couple months. We can't afford to keep going through them like that nor replace the machine either. The timer is faulty because it's so cheap it couldn't handle the rare power outages we get during storms. I'll link below the ones I'm considering buying, I've found out I just need to check the back of our washer to ensure it's at or hopefully below their max amp rating.

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WJCXR2/?coliid=I1DAY849IRYAP8&colid=1KUQ3J3O8PWFO&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000L9OQ3C/?coliid=IUZUVZ438CEHV&colid=1KUQ3J3O8PWFO&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006BC5YC/?coliid=I1Z6A41EUQC0B1&colid=1KUQ3J3O8PWFO&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007ZT2XT0/?coliid=I3G0IRL9QN6OCE&colid=1KUQ3J3O8PWFO&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FPDF5M/?coliid=I32AU6CDK9JQ0I&colid=1KUQ3J3O8PWFO&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KKNFMU/?coliid=I3P9CI97DUXJSX&colid=1KUQ3J3O8PWFO&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Edited October 12, 2018 by Mike Soda
Links weren't copying correctly.