Toe Kick Waste Disposal Switch!!

[dbuckley]

Ok, what you need is a metal plate installed where the HO wants to kick. Your local engineering shop will knock something up for you in fetching stainless steel. Lever microswitch behind plate. Install Micro PLC, and program it up so the kick toggles the disposal. Add a timer element in the program to switch the thing off after five minutes or whatever so if the dog or kid switches it on, it doesn't set the place on fire. Run the PLC off 24V (the PLC makers make a matching pretty PSU to the Micro PLC) and use a small contactor to switch the disposal. That way the microswitch and the control wiring is all low voltage.

Wite the bill and leave with the customer smiling at the $1200 they've just dropped for you to learn Micro PLC programming on his (her?) dime.

Custom installation on high end homes - nice work if you can get it

 

[ptonsparky]

and I just can't think of a better way to learn PLC programing than to let someone pay you while you learn. Probably should still be one of those hi end safety curtains installed so the money will be even better than the $1200. Beats the heck out of $2 swtich.

 

[LarryFine]

How about a simplified and stealth version of DB's suggestion:

Cut a 6" or so section out of the toe-kick board itself, mount a push-on/push/off switch to a bracket in the space, and re-install the cut-out piece with a hinge on one end.

If you like the timer idea, use a momentary switch to activate a simple timer relay. I would think that 10 seconds is plenty long for most use, and if not, tap again.

 

[dbuckley]

Beats the heck out of $2 swtich.

Repeat after me: "Whatever the customer wants"

 

[ultramegabob]

customers come up with some of the wackiest ideas, what is the reason for needing a foot operated garbage disposal? are they turning the garbage disposal on and off and thowing garbage into it hand over fist at the same time?

 

[steelersman]

customers come up with some of the wackiest ideas, what is the reason for needing a foot operated garbage disposal? are they turning the garbage disposal on and off and thowing garbage into it hand over fist at the same time?

they probably don't want a switch in the backsplash as it might detract from the elegance of their high end kitchen?

 

[ultramegabob]

they probably don't want a switch in the backsplash as it might detract from the elegance of their high end kitchen?

if that were the case, I would install a vacuum switch in the sink itself, or put the switch inside the cabinet, the only way I would install a foot operated switch on something like this is if I also installed two normally open momentary contact switches in series with the footswitch on each side of the sink to ensure they had their hands clear of the garbage disposal.

 

[TwinCitySparky]

Agreed!

Man, what a goofy idea! :roll: Where's the common sense? Fer cryin out loud, go with the counter top air switch.

I put the kabosh on my mind controlled chain saw throttle for the same reasons. Why dont we just invite Murphy right in...

 

[melanconelectric]

How about a simplified and stealth version of DB's suggestion:
If you like the timer idea, use a momentary switch to activate a simple timer relay. I would think that 10 seconds is plenty long for most use, and if not, tap again.

Then you have to wait for the timer to cycle if there is an emergency?? now we're beyond the convenience!

 

[melanconelectric]

they probably don't want a switch in the backsplash as it might detract from the elegance of their high end kitchen?

there is no backslash nor cabinet front provision

 

[melanconelectric]

So, the conclusion: Spoke with AHJ about it, says he wants momentary contact as foot switch so only action required to kill power is to remove foot... that way when the flesh eating beast is relling you into it's pit of power and lifts you off your feet, the motor will stop and save your remaining extremeties from complete annihilation!

 

[steelersman]

So, the conclusion: Spoke with AHJ about it, says he wants momentary contact as foot switch so only action required to kill power is to remove foot... that way when the flesh eating beast is relling you into it's pit of power and lifts you off your feet, the motor will stop and save your remaining extremeties from complete annihilation!

Ooh the danger!! I don't see why everyone makes a big deal out of this. I personally haven't heard of any kids being injured form disposalls.

 

[rbwsparky]

How about "The Clapper", you couldn't lose a finger with that.

 

[electricmanscott]

So, the conclusion: Spoke with AHJ about it, says he wants momentary contact as foot switch so only action required to kill power is to remove foot... that way when the flesh eating beast is relling you into it's pit of power and lifts you off your feet, the motor will stop and save your remaining extremeties from complete annihilation!

So I guess wall switch controlled disposals are not allowed?

 

[steelersman]

So I guess wall switch controlled disposals are not allowed?

he said that there isn't a wall or a face of the cabinet.

 

[480sparky]

So, the conclusion: Spoke with AHJ about it, says he wants momentary contact as foot switch so only action required to kill power is to remove foot... that way when the flesh eating beast is relling you into it's pit of power and lifts you off your feet, the motor will stop and save your remaining extremeties from complete annihilation!

P&S makes a Decora switch just for such applications. It's a momentary switch...... literally press & release.

 

[electricmanscott]

he said that there isn't a wall or a face of the cabinet.

That wasn't what I was getting at.

The inspector wants a momentery switch so the only action to kill the pwer is by releasing your foot. Why would this inspector allow standard on off switches in their usual locations.

Since when do we let inspectors design installations for us.

Where is the requirement written that a disposal can not be turned on and left on for whatever reason.

 

[steelersman]

That wasn't what I was getting at.

The inspector wants a momentery switch so the only action to kill the pwer is by releasing your foot. Why would this inspector allow standard on off switches in their usual locations.

Since when do we let inspectors design installations for us.

Where is the requirement written that a disposal can not be turned on and left on for whatever reason.

good point indeed.

 

[melanconelectric]

not a requirement, he's concerned as am I

 

[electricmanscott]

not a requirement, he's concerned as am I

So you don't use standard toggle switches for disposals ever?

Just trying to understand the logic.