Cord and Plug connected switched outlet? Garbage Disposal

[W@ttson]

So as often things progress, the garbage disposal was not requested until after all the drywall and cabinets were up. I would like to know if there is any obscure NEC requirement that would preclude a person from running an appliance cord that is plugged into the dishwasher receptacle in the sink cabinet to a new surface mounted electrical box within the sink base and install a switched receptacle in there. Then plug the garbage disposal into that receptacle? I know there are those air buttons that can be used but those are bulky and wont work here.

For the above assume none of the appliance manuals require a dedicated circuit, and all fixed place loading maximums are followed.

 

[W@ttson]

also should mention that it is a dedicated 20A ckt to the dishwasher receptacle. Nothing else.

 

[winnie]

It sounds like this violates not using flexible cords as part of the permanent wiring of a structure. Flexible cord from existing receptacle to surface mounted box, then a switched receptacle in that box.

On the other hand it doesn't sound too different from a packaged 'air switch' that you can buy, or a power strip with a switch. We aren't talking about pulling SO cord in the walls, but a short exposed run to an exposed box.

I'd suggest using an air switch rather than making something up. This gives a nice control point available on top of the counter, using a manufactured assembly that won't bug an inspector.

Jon

 

[augie47]

Can you switch one side of the D/W receptacle and plug the disposal in there ?

 

[roger]

Can you switch one side of the D/W receptacle and plug the disposal in there ?

That's what we did but we ran multiple circuits as in 210.7 not that multiple circuits was necessary.

 

[winnie]

Can you switch one side of the D/W receptacle and plug the disposal in there ?

IMHO also a good way to do things.

My take was that the OP was asking about the 'plugging in to the D/W receptacle to power a switched outlet' because the drywall is already up and the existing receptacle is recessed into the wall.

Back to the OP: what is the reason for the question? Is it simply 'avoid disturbing the new drywall'? Is it 'have something plugged in because the customer will probably change it anyway'? Is it 'I need a quick and dirty solution because I want done with this customer,?

The simplest approach is probably to use something like this:

Amazon.com

(I have no comments on reliability, listing, etc., the above is to just show the concept.)

-Jon

 

[jap]

If I had to use the dishwasher outlet, and, I couldn't switch half of that outlet, and, the dishwasher outlet was recessed, I'd mount a surface mount box over the dishwasher outlet, to be able to extend the wiring inside the cabinet to the garbage disposal location, install a switched outlet for the garbage disposal however I could, reinstall the receptacle for the dishwasher in the now surface mounted box for the dishwasher, and, let it rock an roll...

JAP>

 

[hillbilly1]

I always install a bracket mount handy box behind the cabinet door, under the sink when a wall switch is not practical. They just crack open the cabinet door, and can flip the switch.

 

[jap]

I always install a bracket mount handy box behind the cabinet door, under the sink when a wall switch is not practical. They just crack open the cabinet door, and can flip the switch.

I've done that exact same thing myself.

JAP>

 

[W@ttson]

IMHO also a good way to do things.

My take was that the OP was asking about the 'plugging in to the D/W receptacle to power a switched outlet' because the drywall is already up and the existing receptacle is recessed into the wall.

Back to the OP: what is the reason for the question? Is it simply 'avoid disturbing the new drywall'? Is it 'have something plugged in because the customer will probably change it anyway'? Is it 'I need a quick and dirty solution because I want done with this customer,?

The simplest approach is probably to use something like this:

Amazon.com

(I have no comments on reliability, listing, etc., the above is to just show the concept.)

-Jon

The drywall is up and don't want to disturb that. Also its tight in that cabinet due to the disposal. I looked at a similar remote switch but it wasn't listed so I wanted to steer clear. Thank you for that link.

 

[W@ttson]

I always install a bracket mount handy box behind the cabinet door, under the sink when a wall switch is not practical. They just crack open the cabinet door, and can flip the switch.

I basically want to do this but to power that handy box I wanted to plug into the DW receptacle. It just bothers me that I can't find a code rule against it but something feels off about it.

 

[W@ttson]

It sounds like this violates not using flexible cords as part of the permanent wiring of a structure. Flexible cord from existing receptacle to surface mounted box, then a switched receptacle in that box.

On the other hand it doesn't sound too different from a packaged 'air switch' that you can buy, or a power strip with a switch. We aren't talking about pulling SO cord in the walls, but a short exposed run to an exposed box.

I'd suggest using an air switch rather than making something up. This gives a nice control point available on top of the counter, using a manufactured assembly that won't bug an inspector.

Jon

I actually have the air switch, the air switch assembly is really large and drilling the counter top poses issues. I wanted something more of an electrical base solution that is able to make the most of the NEC.

 

[winnie]

Again, the code rule is that flexible cords may not be used as part of the 'fixed wiring of a structure'. I'm pretty sure this code is meant to prohibit things such as extension cords fished through walls, but having a flexible cord plugging into one receptacle to power a second receptacle bumps right up against this particular code.

-Jon

 

[LarryFine]

I haven't seen the layout, but it seems that adding a switch loop, putting a switch in the wall (either a new box or add a gang to an existing one) and split-wiring the dishwasher receptacle should be a routine job, even if you need to pull out the dishwasher to fish the new cable.

 

[Little Bill]

Again, the code rule is that flexible cords may not be used as part of the 'fixed wiring of a structure'. I'm pretty sure this code is meant to prohibit things such as extension cords fished through walls, but having a flexible cord plugging into one receptacle to power a second receptacle bumps right up against this particular code.

-Jon

There is a product that came out a few years ago for wall mounted TV sets. Basically, you plugged into an existing outlet and it had a receptacle on the other end that you plug the TV into. You cut-in the box with the receptacle, run the wire/cable down inside the wall, then put a "opening" cut-in box below. You bring the cord through the opening and plug it in.
The owner/inventor came on here asking for insights and opinions to see if it would pass code. The consensus here was that it would not. Somehow they finally got either a code allowence for it or an exemption. Seems what the OP wants to do would be akin to that.

 

[GoldDigger]

I always install a bracket mount handy box behind the cabinet door, under the sink when a wall switch is not practical. They just crack open the cabinet door, and can flip the switch.

My mother-in-law's ADA living unit has a switch like that in parallel with the usual switch in backsplash so control is wheelchair accessible.

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