ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion Building Codes for Electricians disposer/dish circuit

i want to know if anybody can help me calculate if i can put a 1/2 HP disposer motor and a dishwasher that draws a nameplate or 9.1 amps on a 20 amp circuit.

Nominal FLA on a 1/2 HP motor is 9.8a (plus 25%) added to 9.1a seems to be too much for a multiple motor load.
If you are cord and plug connected they each do represent less than 50% of circuit ampacity so it might be "hold your nose" legal. I have seen this go both ways but the preferable solution is a multiwire circuit with 2 phases feeding the duplex.

thanks gf i just wondered if possible...
could you elaborate on the 50% since cord connected dishwashers are feasible and do provide disconnecting means for motor.

h2o

It all gets down to how you read
210.23(A)(2) Utilization Equipment Fastened in Place. The total rating of utilization equipment fastened in place, other than luminaires (lighting fixtures), shall not exceed 50 percent of the branch-circuit ampere rating where lighting units, cord-and-plug-connected utilization equipment not fastened in place, or both, are also supplied.

Most inspectors would say all fixed in place equipment must be less than 50% but I have seen this stretched to say any one piece can't exceed 50%, particularly on an intermittant load like a disposal.
Vote me for "all".

One caution here....look at the FLA on the disposal, and not the "horsepower" rating. I have seen a lot of inflated "horsepower ratings" over the years.

"...lighting units (or) cord-and-plug-connected utilization equipment not fastened in place..."

Neither describe either a dishwasher or a disposer, so 210.23(A)(2) doesn't apply.

I routinely place both of these on a 20-amp circuit. A disposer is probably the epitome of an intermittent load.

According to Insinkerator specs, the 1/2HP Badger 5 has an average current draw of 6.9A.
http://www.insinkerator.com/pdf/badger5.PDF

Good subject. I have been told that they make a 3 way switch that can be used in these applications. One position for dishwasher and other for disposal. Now having said that I personally have not seen one. Do they make them?

Any 3-way rated for the load would work.

I am moving this to the NEC section.