Wiring – How to switch between a dishwasher and a 2 gallon undercounter water heater on same circuit

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Our water heater is a long way from the kitchen, and we waste a lot of water waiting for hot water to the sink. There is a 20a circuit breaker that powers the dishwasher and disposer. The dishwasher will continue to use the hot water from the main water heater. We would like to add a 2 gallon undercounter water heater to our hot water pipe – rated 1500W. Is there anything I can buy that will not allow the water heater to run when the dishwasher is on? The water heater is just for small tasks, but there is not enough power to run both at the same time.

Best Answer

You could run the power to the dishwasher and disposal through a current sensor and contacts on the sensor in series with a coil on a relay. The power to the water heater could be taped ahead of the sensor, and connected through "normally closed" contacts on the relay. When current is detected in the sensor the contacts on the sensor would close, energizing the coil on the relay opening the N.C. contacts, breaking power to the water heater.