splitting the disposal receptacle

[littlewing78]

Ok i ran into this at work today. We were wiring a residential kitchen and one person wanted to split the receptacle that powers the disposal. He wanted to make half of it switched and half unswithced. Another guy thought that that was a waste of time and thought that it was not legal since it would not be gfci protected. I could not find an answer in the code as to wether it is legal or not. Does any one know? Thanks for your help.

 

[stamcon]

Re: splitting the disposal receptacle

It is legal if the non-switched receptacle is used for the DW, hot water tap, etc. If each receptacle is on a separate circuit, a 2 pole common trip breaker must be used. If the non-switched receptacle is not planned to be used, a single receptacle should be used or use 2 pole breaker, so if receptacle is used later, the disposal circuit won't be overloaded.

 

[a.wayne3@verizon.net]

Re: splitting the disposal receptacle

I am assuming that this is a receptacle in the cabinet.... Then it does not need gfi protection since not readily accesible and not a counter top receptacle.if you split it :as in making it in essence 2 single receptacles then I would say they do have to be on a 2 pole breaker and rated for the ampacity of the wire size of that circuit,Yes it is legal as far as the nec goes
allen

 

[littlewing78]

Re: splitting the disposal receptacle

Maybe i should be more clear. There will only be one circuit feeding the receptacle. But it will be split and half will be switched. It is still the same circuit on both halfs of the receptacle. Obviously it is under the sink since it is for The disposal and there are no plans for the unswitched half to be used for anything specific.

 

[a.wayne3@verizon.net]

Re: splitting the disposal receptacle

What is the reason for the duplex ??????? If it not to be used.Either way it is not readily accesible so IMHO it is OK,and doesn`t have to be gfci protected since only receptacles that service a countertop are required to be gfci protected in a kitchen

 

[electricmanscott]

Re: splitting the disposal receptacle

You absolutely can do it. Why would you? Waste of time unless the customer has something they want to plug in down there. Maybe a night light for the mice!

 

[pierre]

Re: splitting the disposal receptacle

Scott,
Nite lite for mice is not so bad, at least not for rats!
Unless there is a reason for the split receptacle you are not telling us about, I do not see the need, but it is still not against the NEC. A 2 pole switch is not required if fed from the same circuit.


Pierre

 

[jxofaltrds]

Re: splitting the disposal receptacle

What is the amperage of this dw circuit?

Mike P.

 

[electricmanscott]

Re: splitting the disposal receptacle

It's actually a disposal circuit, and whay does the amperage matter?

 

[littlewing78]

Re: splitting the disposal receptacle

thank you for your help everybody. that answeres my question. and i do agree, it is a waste of time to split it.

 

[tim]

Re: splitting the disposal receptacle

We run 20 amp circuits all the time to supply the disposal and dishwasher. We break the tap on the plug. Have yet in 20 years to ever have a problem doing this. Although, you must make sure the loads are all within limits. They are putting some disposals and dishwahers in that pull a little more amperage these days.

 

[jxofaltrds]

Re: splitting the disposal receptacle

Appliance circuits are to be 20amp. If you were using the exceptions, 15amp, it would have to be a single outlet.

Mike P.

 

[a.wayne3@verizon.net]

Re: splitting the disposal receptacle

Ok,what about the combined motor load ???? Here the inspectors say that the potential motor load of both d/w and disp. exceeds the rated ampacity of the circuit so dedicated is in order..........