On Sep 16, 6:39*pm, "EXT" wrote:
John Grabowski wrote:
"Josh" wrote in message
....
My house doesn't have a Garbage Disposal (nor do I foresee wanting
one) but since I'm replacing drywall behind the kitchen sink and
adding another outlet over the countertop, I want to run the wires
for a GD while I'm in there. *It might make the house more
desirable if I ever decide to sell. *I'm thinking of having a
double switch box to the right of the sink, with one switch for a
small flourescent light mounted over the sink and the other switch
for the GD. Here's my questions:

1. *Are GD's usually hardwired straight from the switch near the
sink, or do they plug into an outlet under the sink which is
switched on and off by the GD switch above?

*They can be wired either way. *Some disposals come with cords already
attached. *I prefer cords to make it easy for the plumber to install
and remove without having to call an electrician.

2. *Does the wiring code allow an outlet to be mounted under the
sink, in close proximity to the hot and cold water inlets? *If so,
does it have to be GFCI? If outlets are permitted under the sink,
is it best to install them high (above the water inlets) or down
low?

*Yes it is permissiable to wire an outlet under the sink and it is not
required to be GFCI protected though it is not a bad idea. *I usually
mount the boxes where they are the most accessible which is usually
on the cabinet side close to the cabinet door. *It is a royal PITA to
work on a junction box or receptacle way back inside especially in a
corner cabinet. *Keep it up high so as to not interfere with
household items.

If outlets aren't allowed under the sink, I plan on installing a
junction box under the sink (again: high or low?) and running the
wires from the GD switch down to the JB, putting wire nuts on the
ends of the wire, and a cover on the JB. *If the next owner is
someone who can't live without a GD, at least the wiring will be
there already.

*I think that is your best bet. *Use a 4" square box. *Leave extra
slack on the cable in case it needs to be relocated or pushed aside
for plumbing. Use a 20 amp circuit and keep it separate from the
lighting.

And don't bother with a wall switch. Since most better quality disposal
units don't need them,

The stores are chock full of quality disposals that need a switch of
some kind and most are of that type. As someone else stated, the
kind that require the disposal plug be installed to turn it on instead
of a switch work in batch mode are a royal PIA.

Another alternative is to use a switch that mounts in a hole in the
sink, similar to a soap dispenser, etc. These are air based at the
sink and work the actual switch which is located safely out of the way
under the sink. They can be used with any disposal.




why have a blank plate visible on the wall or a
switch that does nothing, as every visitor will use it to try to turn on the
lights, and probably even your wife, much to her anoyance. You don't want
her anoyed.