I'm curious, I always unplug all my vintage appliances. I'm wondering if I'm prematurely wearing out the cords and outlets. What do some of you guys do? Is there any real harm in leaving them plugged in?
To Plug or Unplug
- Thread starter joelippard
- Start date
Help Support :
TO UNPLUG OR NOT
I have seen plugs and outlets worn out by consumers who always unplug there appliances when not in use, its also always a debate for me to recommend whether or not you should turn the hot & cold water valves off when not using a washer as most shut off valves will not with stand the constant turning on & off and will start to leak at the valve stems and many don't really turn off fully anyway. I often turn off the circuit breaker for seldom used electric ranges and dryers as this is safer than than struggling with the plug on these appliances.
I have seen plugs and outlets worn out by consumers who always unplug there appliances when not in use, its also always a debate for me to recommend whether or not you should turn the hot & cold water valves off when not using a washer as most shut off valves will not with stand the constant turning on & off and will start to leak at the valve stems and many don't really turn off fully anyway. I often turn off the circuit breaker for seldom used electric ranges and dryers as this is safer than than struggling with the plug on these appliances.
To unplug or not to unplug
I have a Maytag Neptune washer and dryer, purchased in 1999. I always unplug the washer and shut off the water. I do this so I can leave the door open for it to dry out to avoid mold and mildew issues. Never had a problem with the valves leaking. Never had any issues with the Neptune either.
I have a Maytag Neptune washer and dryer, purchased in 1999. I always unplug the washer and shut off the water. I do this so I can leave the door open for it to dry out to avoid mold and mildew issues. Never had a problem with the valves leaking. Never had any issues with the Neptune either.
Switch
I too have an original Maytag Neptune W/D and bought this switch at Homo Depot so that I could leave the washer plugged in and turn off the light so that I could leave the door open.
Works wonderfully.
I too have an original Maytag Neptune W/D and bought this switch at Homo Depot so that I could leave the washer plugged in and turn off the light so that I could leave the door open.
Works wonderfully.
those of you who which to safely turn off appliances at the wall without wear and tear on plugs and sockets need only move to Australia...
Switched power outlets are standard here.
Switched power outlets are standard here.
This is an interesting thread. What appliances and electronics CAN safely be separated from the power source and which(besides the refrigerator) can't? Most of my idiot employers have spent thousands of dollars coverting existing light switches to automatic motion detectors. It's my understanding that turning fluorescent light fixtures on and off all day long is more costly than leaving them on. Is this no longer true?
polkanut
Well-known member
Here is an article debunking the myth about leaving fluorescent lights on vs. shutting them off.
Wear and tear?
~I too have an original Maytag Neptune W/D and bought this switch at Homo Depot so that I could leave the washer plugged in and turn off the light so that I could leave the door open.
Works wonderfully.
Yes but the lack of a ground/earth (as evidenced by the adapter in the middle is dangerous). Similarly major appliances in a power-strip is questionable at best!
Pull PLUGS not cords, is the right way to unplug something.
IMHO is is much safer to unplug old things than to risk a fire or damage via shorts and sparking/arcing in wiring that has become brittle and unstable due to age.
Plugs outlet and (flex)cords can be replaced; more difficult to replace a house and its contents due to fire.
~I too have an original Maytag Neptune W/D and bought this switch at Homo Depot so that I could leave the washer plugged in and turn off the light so that I could leave the door open.
Works wonderfully.
Yes but the lack of a ground/earth (as evidenced by the adapter in the middle is dangerous). Similarly major appliances in a power-strip is questionable at best!
Pull PLUGS not cords, is the right way to unplug something.
IMHO is is much safer to unplug old things than to risk a fire or damage via shorts and sparking/arcing in wiring that has become brittle and unstable due to age.
Plugs outlet and (flex)cords can be replaced; more difficult to replace a house and its contents due to fire.
In the house I'm renovating, I'm planning to install a switch (20 amp) in the box next to the receptacle for my Calypso washer, so I can turn it off when not in use. Dishwasher will also have a wall switch. If I'm going away for a day or more, I'll turn off the dryer and other large appliances at the circuit breaker. I haven't decided yet if I'm putting the panelboard for that section of the basement in the hall or laundry room. As for the water, the plumber has installed a lever type shutoff valve for the washer.
At the house I'm currently living in, I always turn off the range at the circuit breaker when I'm not using it. It's not the range I distrust, but rather the wiring going to it. It's the original cable from 1938, and not in the best shape. This place has a washer and dryer (early 90's Hotpoint), but washer is broken, and they are in a very nasty basement. So I've been doing my laundry at the washateria.
At the house I'm currently living in, I always turn off the range at the circuit breaker when I'm not using it. It's not the range I distrust, but rather the wiring going to it. It's the original cable from 1938, and not in the best shape. This place has a washer and dryer (early 90's Hotpoint), but washer is broken, and they are in a very nasty basement. So I've been doing my laundry at the washateria.
seamusuk
Well-known member
Switched sockets.....
We have them here to
......
We have them here to
......whirlaway
New member
Unplug Older
I always unplug my jukeboxes and my 1935 Capehart Radio-phono and old color TV.Switches can fail sometimes on old appliances even when they are turned off,the springs get brittle with age.You never know when you might get a power surge,when you are not at home.Thanks Bobby
I always unplug my jukeboxes and my 1935 Capehart Radio-phono and old color TV.Switches can fail sometimes on old appliances even when they are turned off,the springs get brittle with age.You never know when you might get a power surge,when you are not at home.Thanks Bobby
lordkenmore
Well-known member
"I always unplug my jukeboxes and my 1935 Capehart Radio-phono and old color TV."
I won't necessarily argue against this. With older electronics that aren't at least gone over, I'd probably pull the plug.
But my bigger fear is actually with NEW cheap appliances. I have heard the advice with modern coffee makers and toasters that they should ALWAYS be unplugged. Apparently, the switches used are often cheap, and can fail "part on", causing them to over heat, and burn the house down.
I won't necessarily argue against this. With older electronics that aren't at least gone over, I'd probably pull the plug.
But my bigger fear is actually with NEW cheap appliances. I have heard the advice with modern coffee makers and toasters that they should ALWAYS be unplugged. Apparently, the switches used are often cheap, and can fail "part on", causing them to over heat, and burn the house down.
While I've never seen it done in a kitchen, I always thought it'd be a nice idea to have switched countertop outlets (one switch for all, like occasionally done for bedroom outlets) such that toasters, coffee pots, toaster ovens, mixers, etc. could be easily disabled with the flip of a switch on the way out the door.
I did a similar thing with my TV collection when building the display room. Used double gang boxes along the walls with one recept tied to a central switch A (TV's, Radios), the top of the second recept tied to switch B (for floor/table/tv top lamps) and the lower half of B always on (clocks and such). The 20A switch bats are lighted so you know their status and they're mounted low on the wall next to the doorway so they're easy to flip when entering/exiting the room. -Cory
I did a similar thing with my TV collection when building the display room. Used double gang boxes along the walls with one recept tied to a central switch A (TV's, Radios), the top of the second recept tied to switch B (for floor/table/tv top lamps) and the lower half of B always on (clocks and such). The 20A switch bats are lighted so you know their status and they're mounted low on the wall next to the doorway so they're easy to flip when entering/exiting the room. -Cory
I tend to unplug the washers
Only because I have only one outlet (so far) in the laundry room! I also click the breaker to the dryers off - I did a not-really-up-to-code-but-it-works 'daisy chaining' of dryer outlets to accomodate all three of them and until I can get permanent wiring in place, I am slightly paranoid...
Only because I have only one outlet (so far) in the laundry room! I also click the breaker to the dryers off - I did a not-really-up-to-code-but-it-works 'daisy chaining' of dryer outlets to accomodate all three of them and until I can get permanent wiring in place, I am slightly paranoid...
polkanut
Well-known member
Paul,
When it comes to something like this, a little paranoia in moderation isn't a bad thing at all. You're just protecting your investment.
When it comes to something like this, a little paranoia in moderation isn't a bad thing at all. You're just protecting your investment.
