I moved to a house built in 1995 and want to update the disposal connection, but found some conflicting rules that I don't know how best to comply with.
The existing connection is a 14-2 NM cable run through the middle of the sink cabinet. Many years of the faucet sprayer hose rubbing against the cable is evident.
If I could bring that cable back to a surface-mount receptacle on the back of the cabinet, that would seem more safe. I realize the latest NEC requires new kitchen receptacles to have AFCI protection. So I checked inside the panelboard. I found the disposal is part of a MWBC with the dishwasher.
According to Siemens, their single pole AFCI breakers are not appropriate for a MWBC. I could buy the 2-pole AFCI breaker, but this raises many more questions.
The latest NEC also requires GFCI for dishwashers, and I'm concerned I would be breaking rules by doing anything to the original dishwasher circuit breaker. There doesn't seem to be a 2-pole dual function circuit breaker available for this situation.
It looks like there are rules preventing me from using an AFCI type receptacle, because the disposal is switched and not on a continuous run.
Is there a simple way to add this disposal receptacle in compliance with 2020 NEC?
Edit: I've learned the disposal switch box is the first box on the MWBC, has 2 switches and 4 other cables connected. Adding a blank face GFCI for the dishwasher and a duplex switch is possible, but is it required?
Best Answer
I'd just go with the blank face GFCI + duplex switch approach
The simplest and cheapest way to handle this for the foreseeable future would be to put a 2-pole AFCI breaker in at the panel, then rearrange the disposal switch box to use a duplex switch (2 switches on the same yoke) beside a deadfront (sometimes called blank face) GFCI for the dishwasher. This puts the dishwasher GFCI in a convenient place if it ever trips, and works around the issue with the lack of 2-pole DFCI breakers without requiring the replacement of the homerun cable.