Does a Garbage Disposal Need a Dedicated Circuit?

​​Whenever setting garbage disposal, the first thought that comes to your mind is whether you will have established a dedicated circuit for it.

You might have seen friends and acquaintances run the garbage disposal and the dishwasher in the same circuit rather than two different.

But is it a wise option? Or is it somewhat better for your garbage disposal to have its dedicated circuit? Let’s find out!

Does Garbage Disposal Need its Own Circuit?

It is highly preferred for a garbage disposal to be on its own circuit rather than a shared one.

Though garbage disposals can also run on a circuit shared with a dishwasher, it is better only with special conditions and attention.

Several electricians might prefer connecting the garbage disposal to the same circuit as the dishwasher because it saves time, labor, and hassle.

If the circuit connecting the garbage disposal and dishwasher is overloaded, it might trip the circuit breaker, which can be a risky move.

That means, while working with your garbage disposal and dishwasher, your circuit breaker will suddenly shut off the power to protect your home and its electric systems from further accidents.

Does a Dishwasher Need its Own Circuit?

Using a dedicated circuit for dishwashers is preferable to a shared one. But it can run on a shared circuit as well.

If you plan to set your dishwasher to a shared circuit, you need to prepare to pay additional care and attention to it because a shared circuit is always more prone to tripping than a dedicated circuit.

Hence, if you plan to set the dishwasher on a shared circuit thinking that it will reduce the trouble of setting up another circuit for you, know that it might lessen the risk for setting up, but it will be more troublesome to maintain.

Can the Dishwasher and Garbage Disposal be on the Same Circuit?

The dishwasher and the garbage disposal can be on the same circuit if the total amperage of the circuit is a maximum of 20 amps.

Even though it is always better to set up separate circuits for the two different appliances, as long as you are not exerting too much pressure on the circuit, connecting the dishwasher and garbage disposal on the same circuit is okay.

However, don’t forget to check the local code of your area before you decide to set up the garbage disposal and dishwasher on the same circuit because all local electric codes don’t allow dishwashers and garbage disposal to be on the same circuit.

And along with that, also glance at the manuals of both appliances to ensure that there are no objections to the manufacturer’s instructions to put them on a shared circuit.

How Many Amps Does Garbage Disposal Require?

If you set up your garbage disposal to a dedicated circuit, the ideal amp for the circuit would be 15 amp, fed by a 14/2 NM cable with a ground.

However, if you plan to set up your garbage disposal to a shared circuit with the dishwasher, you should use 20 amp, fed by a 12/2 NM cable with a ground.

The amps required for garbage disposal vary depending on their size and type.

That is why it is better to check the manufacturer’s instructions first before going for a 15 or 20-amp circuit straight up.

Also, you can discuss the ideal amp options for your garbage disposal with the electrician you will appoint to set up the garbage disposal and consider his advice.

How is Garbage Disposal Wired?

There are mainly two ways to wire garbage disposal to an electrical power supply. One is hardwiring the garbage disposal to a dedicated circuit directly.

And the other way is wiring it with an appliance cord plugged into a wall outlet inside the sink’s base cabinet.

The garbage disposal must be connected to a switch installed in an electrical box on the wall near the sink or in the sink’s base cabinet.

When the switch is on the wall near the sink, another box generally serves as a junction box inside the sink’s base cabinet.

All exposed sink base cabinets must be protected using a flexible metal conduit.

To wire the garbage disposal using the plug-in configuration, you must plug the cord into an electrical outlet in the sink base cabinet.

A wall switch on the wall near the sink controls the outlet.

People often wire the outlet as a split receptacle. For which the switch and half control the outlet powered always.

This other half is always powered and can connect to another appliance, such as a dishwasher or a water filter. Remember that cords do not come with garbage disposals.

Therefore, to wire up the garbage disposal, it is essential to manage the grounded cord, which has voltage and amperage ratings most appropriate for your garbage disposal especially.

Also, remember to do the wiring correctly and double-check because one small misconnection will lead to huge damage, and you will get a shock from the garbage disposal.

Now let’s dig into the step-by-step process to wire the garbage disposal. Have a look.

Step 1: Take the Wiring Compartment Out

The metal cover of the wiring compartment is on the bottom of the garbage disposal. Remove that metal cover.

Generally, the metal cover is attached to the wiring compartment by a single screw in most garbage disposal units.

Take out the screw using a screwdriver. Keep all the pieces correctly in a safe place. Don’t be sure you don’t lose them; you will need them later to set up the garbage disposal.

Step 2: Install a Cord Clamp

If you observe, you will find a hole near the wiring compartment. Install a cord clamp into the hole by inserting the threaded end.

Afterward, secure the clamp using the inside of the garbage disposal unit’s base by the clamp’s nut.

Reaching through the wiring compartment requires threading and making the nut tighter.

To tighten the nut securely and adequately, you might even need to tap on the lugs of the mounting nut using a flathead screwdriver.

Step 3: Strip the Cord Wires

Utilizing a wire stripper, set up the apparatus line wires for the association by stripping around 3 to 4 inches of protection from the finish of every one of the three protected wires.

If the string wiring is stranded copper, utilize the “stranded” scores on the wire stripper. If the wiring is solid copper, use the “solid” indents.

Step 4: Install the Cord

Insert the end of the cord with the stripped wires through the clasp and into the wiring compartment. Secure the line in the clip by fixing the two screws on the cinch.

When fastening, ensure the brace securely holds the line without being compacted or disfigured.

Step 5: Attach the Wires

Wrap the uncovered copper end of the green (ground) wire clockwise around the ground screw on the removal (or utilize the ring connector).

Fix the ground screw with a screwdriver to get the wire. Associate the white (nonpartisan) rope wire to the white (unbiased) wire on the removal, utilizing a wire connector.

Associate the dark (hot) line wire with a wire connector to the removal’s dark (hot) wire. Delicately pull on each wire to ensure it is secure.

Step 6: Place the Wiring Compartment Back

Stuff the wires into the wiring compartment cautiously. Reinstall the compartment cover, protecting it with its screw.

After installing the drain and connecting the pipes, plug the drain cord into a switch-controlled GFCI-protected outlet.

Test the removal activity by flipping the divider switch while running water through the sink.

NEC Garbage Disposal Dedicated Circuit

According to the National Electric Code (NEC), garbage disposal does not require the protection of a GFCI outlet.

The two ideal ways to wire the garbage disposal are hardwiring or connecting to an outlet through a grounded electrical outlet.

Usually, people plug garbage disposals into a 120-volt GFCI outlet under the sink.

Call an electrician to install one if there is no such outlet under your kitchen sink.

Final Words

Whether you want to set up your garbage disposal on its circuit or with a shared one is your decision.

The only thing you must ensure is that the voltage and amperage ratingsThat’suitable. That’s it!

Thanks for reading till the end!

James Miller

James is an organic fertilizer professional who owns a successful organic fertilizer company in new jersey. He is an expert in waste management in both houses and community cases. In his free time, he loves to write about his experiences in the field.