ZZ wrote:
Does your expresso machine have a 20-amp plug on it or a 15-amp plug?
If it has a 20-amp plug on it and you have 14-gauge wiring, I wouldn't
plug it in to your electrical system no matter what sort of socket you
have.

What is the electrical rating of the expresso machine? You can usually
find the electrical rating on the bottom or the back of the machine.


It will be a 20 amp plug.

It is supposed to draw up tp 18 amps

This is all sounding rather odd . . . "will be a 20 amp plug" . . .
"supposed to draw". How do you know it's supposed to draw up to 18
amps? If memory serves, UL will not approve an appliance that draws
more than 16A on a 20A circuit, yet you have an appliance that
supposedly draws 18 amps.

Is this some sort of a homemade device? Even commercial expresso
machines only take about 1700 W (or 14 amps). Here's an example:

"Cecilware Venezia Automatic Espresso Machines w/ Volumetric Flow
Control VAE-1
CEC-VAE-1
$3,150.00
Touch Pad Control Panel. Makes Single or Double Espresso; 1 or 2 cups
at a time. Double gauge for boiler and pump pressure control. Hot water
dispenser. Extra long movable steam wand. Water inlet valve. Built-in
motor pump with in-line filter. 4" adjustable legs. Pod filter adapter
included. European style to fit every decor. Number of heads: 1 group.
19.5"L. 120V, 1.7KW, 20 amps. Makes 240 cups/hour. Boiler size: 7
quarts."

What's the make and model number on your expresso machine?