Electrical – Adding an outlet to the dishwasher/disposer circuit

dishwasherelectricalgarbage-disposalreceptacleswitch

I have switched garbage disposal, like many people do. The switch is on a wall w/o any outlets. I'd like to convert the switch to a switch/outlet combo. I read that you shouldn't add an outlet to the dishwasher or disposal circuit so I figured I'd ask y'all.

Here are some facts:

  1. The dishwasher is hardwired.
  2. The garbage disposal is corded (not hardwired) and runs to an outlet under the sink. Nothing else is plugged into that outlet.
  3. I'm not sure if the dishwasher and disposal are on the same circuit. Or what else is on either circuit.
  4. I'm not sure what the amperage of either circuit is.

Here are my questions:

  1. As a general question, can I add an outlet to the garbage disposal switch?
  2. If yes, what considerations do I need to take into account? What questions would I need to know the answers to before proceeded? What would I need to change?
  3. If no, why not?

Thank y'all so much!
Jason

Best Answer

This should be fine*

There is not a restriction that a disposal must be on a dedicated circuit unless the manufacturer states that it must be. Unless you have a high-end beast of a commercial unit, it probably doesn't.

There are rules in the NEC on circuit sharing, and a "fixed" device like a disposal or dishwasher can't use any more than 50% of the circuit capacity if that circuit is to be shared with general purpose lighting/outlets.

What that means in your case is that if the dishwasher shares the circuit, it probably uses more than 50% because of the heater used for drying and water heating. I think that means you really shouldn't share it with the disposal either and it should be dedicated (so I normally see a dedicated circuit for them).

If the disposal is on it's own or already shared with other kitchen outlets, you are fine to add an outlet.

GFCI required

As you stated, a GFCI outlet is required, and that means you will need a two gang box. There are switch/outlet combos you could stuff into a single box, but not with GFCI (Link in comments, single gang switch/GFCI does exit), but you probably want more than a singe receptacle. Upgrade to a two gang (or three!) box and use a GFCI outlet.