Advise please if you would be so kind.

My ex missus has her washing maching in a shed and up to now its been on an extension lead. However the extension lead packed up and an assortment of replacements doesn't work. The light comes on on the washing machine but it doesn't work. I tried a heavy duty lead which did work ok.

My question is; does a washing machine need a certain voltage/ampage and is it conceivable that there is not enough power getting through an extension lead? I'm a little confused how it can work through one but not through the other.

Also given that its outdoors, how should it be wired up in terms of cable type, ducting etc.

If its your ex, why not wire it up to the mains

or ask grave he is good at electrics

Like Mr offshore, i deal in large high voltage kit, but i can offer you a good bit of advice! you dont say how long the extension lead is, there is a thing called volt drop, which would be less in a bigger cable due to less resistance, but could cause you some problems, there is certain criteria that must be met when intalling a cable outside and this will include the type of protection required !!
In short, dont fanny about with electrics, get some one in to sort it for you, who knows what they are doing, its dangerous stuff and kills, causes fires etc easier than you might think.
Now if you decide to buy a 8MW turbine and 13.8 KV switchboards etc, then give me a shout i might be more use