I do mostly service work and have found the need to put a switch and outlet for a garbage disposal in some very challenging locations. It got me thinking about Pico switches and how handy it would be to have the ability to put a switch powering the disposal somewhere convenient and then placing the pico above the disposal when other solutions like an air switch won't work. I know pico switches aren't motor rated but does anyone have something similar they've used successfully?
Remote control of a motor, pico maybe?
- Thread starter Sparro
- Start date
hillbilly1
Senior Member
- Location
- North Georgia mountains
- Occupation
- Owner/electrical contractor
I believe some Lutron Casseta switches are motor rated.
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Electrical Engineer
Just be careful of the actual HP rating, don't go by current alone. Some disposals are getting to be up to 1HP now, that's too much for most remote control devices, they usually to out at 1/2HP.
hillbilly1
Senior Member
- Location
- North Georgia mountains
- Occupation
- Owner/electrical contractor
The one I looked up was rated at 3/4 hp.
electrofelon
Senior Member
- Location
- Cherry Valley NY, Seattle, WA
Maybe it's a little more than you want to get into, but could just throw a small contactor under the sink and have the Caseta control that. I've done that a number of times for large lighting loads
It might be a bit much in a tight area like this but that's a great idea. Do you know of any small contactors with a UL listed enclosure or do you throw them in a 4 square/cut-in and wire straight to the outlet?
The caseta switch was rated at 3/4 hp? I've been looking for a rating and haven't seen one. Where did you find that?
electrofelon
Senior Member
- Location
- Cherry Valley NY, Seattle, WA
Probably would use some bigger than a 4 sq. Prolly a 6x6.
How about a relay in a box? Just mount to a 4 square ko:
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- engineer
Every electrician should be required by law to have one of these in their tool box. They just come in handy so often.
In most cases I think anything bigger than a 4 square would be an issue but a 6x6 would work in some places. That relay you linked is perfect though! Thank you for the info. I can definitely make that work with a caseta and a pico.
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
Well, duh. I have one in my box of good stuff and have had a use for it, for quite some time.
Occasionally a good slap in the head is warranted.
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
These were very common for baseboard heat
- Location
- Tennessee NEC:2017
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrician
Strathead
Senior Member
- Location
- Ocala, Florida, USA
- Occupation
- Electrician/Estimator/Project Manager/Superintendent
I love this at my house. Switch can mount on the sink, in the cabinet face, etc.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGH6D76...&s=hi&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGH6D76...&s=hi&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw&th=1
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
Thank you.
Don't be afraid to apply again.
The Lutron cord is only rated for 1/2 HP
RR-15APS-1-XX
RR-15APS-1-XX
hillbilly1
Senior Member
- Location
- North Georgia mountains
- Occupation
- Owner/electrical contractor
On Leviton’s site.
charlesaf3
Member
- Location
- Richmond VA
so this is an interesting idea and there are motor rated casetas. Caseta is also MUCH better than leviton. But in every situation I would use a pico a vacuum switch has been the ideal. Most countertops aren't that big a deal to drill, though you might want to sub that to a stone guy depending
curt swartz
Electrical Contractor - San Jose, CA
- Location
- San Jose, CA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
You can also use a 20A Vive receptacle. They are rated for up to 1HP.