INSTALLING THE WATER LINE
(ON SOME MODELS)
Recommended copper water supply kits are WX8X2, WX8X3
or WX8X4, depending on the amount of tubing you need.
Approved plastic water supply lines are GE SmartConnect
™
Refrigerator Tubing (WX08X10006, WX08X10015 and
WX08X10025).
When connecting your refrigerator to a GE Reverse Osmosis
Water System, the only approved installation is with a GE RVKit.
For other reverse osmosis water systems, follow the
manufacturer’s recommendations.
This water line installation is not warranted by the refrigerator
or icemaker manufacturer. Follow these instructions carefully
to minimize the risk of expensive water damage.
Water hammer (water banging in the pipes) in house plumbing
can cause damage to refrigerator parts and lead to water leakage
or flooding. Call a qualified plumber to correct water hammer
before installing the water supply line to the refrigerator.
To prevent burns and product damage, do not hook up the
water line to the hot water line.
If you use your refrigerator before connecting the water line,
make sure the feeler arm is in the
STOP
(up) position.
Do not install the icemaker tubing in areas where temperatures
fall below freezing.
When using any electrical device (such as a power drill) during
installation, be sure the device is double insulated or grounded
in a manner to prevent the hazard of electric shock, or is battery
powered.
All installations must be in accordance with local plumbing
code requirements.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Installation Instructions
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
•
Copper or GE SmartConnect
™
Refrigerator Tubing kit
,
1/4
″
outer diameter to connect the refrigerator to the water
supply. If using copper, be sure both ends of the tubing are
cut square.
To determine how much tubing you need: Measure the distance
from the water valve on the back of the refrigerator to the water
supply pipe. Then add 8
′
(2.4 m). Be sure there is sufficient extra
tubing (about 8
′
[2.4 m] coiled into 3 turns of about 10
″
[25 cm]
diameter) to allow the refrigerator to move out from the wall
after installation.
GE SmartConnect
™
Refrigerator Tubing Kits are available in the
following lengths:
6
′ (1.8
m)
– WX08X10006
15
′ (4.6
m)
– WX08X10015
25
′ (7.6
m)
– WX08X10025
Be sure that the kit you select allows at least 8
′
(2.4 m) as
described above.
NOTE: The only GE approved plastic tubing is that supplied
in GE SmartConnect
™
Refrigerator Tubing kits. Do not use any
other plastic water supply line because the line is under pressure
at all times. Certain types of plastic will crack or rupture with age
and cause water damage to your home.
11
•
A GE water supply kit
(containing tubing, shutoff
valve and fittings listed below) is available at extra
cost from your dealer or from Parts and Accessories,
1.800.661.1616.
•
A cold water supply
. The water pressure must be
between 20 and 120 p.s.i. (1.4–8.1 bar).
•
Power drill.
•
1/2
″
or adjustable wrench.
•
Straight and Phillips blade screwdriver.
•
Two 1/4
″
outer diameter compression nuts and
2 ferrules (sleeves)
—to connect the copper tubing
to the shutoff valve and the refrigerator water valve.
OR
•
If you are using a GE SmartConnect
™
Refrigerator
Tubing kit, the necessary fittings are preassembled
to the tubing.
•
If your existing copper water line has a flared fitting
at the end, you will need an
adapter
(available at
plumbing supply stores) to connect the water line to
the refrigerator
OR
you can cut off the flared fitting
with a
tube cutter
and then use a compression fitting.
Do not cut formed end from GE SmartConnect
™
Refrigerator tubing.
•
Shutoff valve
to connect to the cold water line.
The shutoff valve should have a water inlet with a
minimum inside diameter of 5/32
″
at the point of
connection to the
COLD WATER LINE
. Saddle-type
shutoff valves are included in many water supply kits.
Before purchasing, make sure a saddle-type valve
complies with your local plumbing codes.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
(CONT.)
