Location of sockets for a washing machine and dryer in a column

One of the most crucial things to think about when arranging a laundry room at home is where to put the outlets. It’s important to get this right if you’re installing a washing machine and dryer in a column. Not only can the placement of these outlets affect the ease and safety of your space, but also the efficiency of your appliances.

Plugs positioned incorrectly can result in tangled cables, difficult access, or even dangerous situations. Consequently, knowing where to put these outlets according to best practices will help to guarantee that your laundry setup is both effective and secure.

We’ll walk you through the important things to think about in this article when installing sockets for stacked washers and dryers. You can design a laundry room that is both functional and well-organized to suit all of your needs with the correct planning.

Making sockets for a washing machine and dryer in the bathroom?

It is especially important to pay close attention to how devices are connected to the electrical network when installing them in columns. An independent socket must be provided for the dryer and the washing machine. If not, the point will experience a higher load when both units are turned on simultaneously.

Choose outlets with the highest level of moisture protection if the dryer and washing machine are situated in the bathroom.

Machines typically require the installation of new sockets. As such, consider the location of the electrical network connection points even prior to installing the devices in the column. It is preferable that they are placed apart from the washbasin, bathtub, and other "wet" items. Water won’t be able to enter them then.

The best location for outlets is closest to the bathroom exit. This location is thought to be the safest and best ventilated. Naturally, consider the fact that the machines’ network cables are long enough. It is not permitted to connect drying and washing machines to the network using an extension cord.

At least 25 centimeters separate the wall-mounted sockets from the floor. Within the safety framework, this is the primary requirement. The height need not be less than the specified minimum; it can be higher, between 40 and 60 cm.

Sockets should ideally be "stick" no higher than 180–200 cm from the ground. If it becomes necessary to de-energize the devices immediately, it will be challenging for the hostess—especially a brief one—to get in touch with them.

Once the placement plan is conceptualized, it is best to write it down. Make a sketch showing the route that the cables will take from the panel to the sockets. This will assist you in determining the quantity of cable you will require.

It is important to consider both the cross-section and the number of wires required. The network is heavily burdened when equipment is being washed and dried. The machine power calculation is used to determine the type of cable.

The instructions will tell you how much power the dryer and washing machine have. These details are frequently displayed on the devices’ bodies. It is advisable to "estimate" the additional devices that you intend to connect to the outlet. The desired cross-section of the wire is calculated using this data.

A wire measuring 1.5 mm in thickness, for instance, can sustain a 4.1 kW load with ease. This kind of cable works well with both dryers and washing machines. Experts advise, nevertheless, carrying extra materials, so it’s best to stop at a 2.5 mm thick wire.

Once the type of cable required has been determined, you must begin arranging the "route" for the future wiring. It’s crucial to heed the following advice in this situation:

• avoid "wet" areas (these are the walls near the bathtub, shower stall, sink);
• do not plan to lay the cable along load-bearing walls – their surface is difficult to groove due to the reinforced mesh provided inside;
• the route of the installation should be the shortest – this will save on materials;
• the new wire should not intersect with other branches of the electrical network.

Make sure a different machine is safeguarding the line. This is required to shield the hardware from network voltage spikes. Installing an RCD with a cut-off current of 10–16 Amperes is advised by experts.

Draw lines on the walls’ surface where the wire niche will pass before pursuing them.

When setting up new sockets, the following will be the sequence of steps to follow:

• mark the location of the sockets on the wall;
• draw lines repeating the wiring route;
• insert a metal crown for the socket box into the hammer drill;
• drill two round holes for the sockets;
• start chasing a niche for wiring along pre-marked lines;
• install two separate RCDs in the panel going to the bathroom. Remember that the terminals must first be de-energized;
• connect the wires to the RCD and start pulling them along the made grooves;
• prepare some cement mortar;
• fill the holes for the sockets with cement about a third of the way, install plastic wall boxes on top (plaster can be used instead of mortar);
• fix the wiring in the wall;
• bring the cores of each cable to “its” wall box;
• fix the “insides” of the sockets in the wall box (keep in mind that the cement mortar should dry out and “seize” the structure by this point);
• bring the cores of the cables to the contacts of the sockets;
• install the outer part of the sockets.

The made sockets’ functionality must then be verified. Attach them to any household appliance. You can close the wall grooves if everything is good.

You can arrange external wiring and cover it with specialized plastic boxes if you don’t want to chase the walls. This option is not preferred, though, if the cable is to be laid in a highly humid room.

A washing machine and dryer socket should always be positioned at a convenient height in a column to allow for easy access and protection from the elements. To ensure accessibility and safety, the outlets should be situated slightly above the upper appliance. Placing both machines correctly reduces the chance of electrical hazards and facilitates easy operation.

For maximum convenience and security, arrange your dryer and washing machine’s outlets in a column. You can effortlessly connect your appliances without needless strain or clutter by making sure the outlets are at the proper height and distance from one another.

Think about maintenance requirements and accessibility when designing the layout. When things are positioned correctly, everyday use can be greatly improved by avoiding problems like tangled cords or restricted access.

You can make laundry day a little bit easier by placing the sockets carefully to create a more functional and organized laundry space that meets your needs.

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