Submitted by Fattom23 t3_zqrji3 in philadelphia
I'm trying to install a dishwasher where there's never been one before and I don't understand how to read the electrical code. Does a dishwasher need to be on a dedicated circuit, or can it share one with the garbage disposal?
Yeah, that's definitely the way to do it when you're running wires for the first time. I was hoping to avoid it because there's already wiring there, but I think I'll need an electrician to run the new wires.
Philadelphia currently follows the 2017 NEC (National Electrical Code).
From a practical standpoint, having each appliance on its own dedicated circuit is certainly easier, especially fault finding, especially if you have enough spaces open in your panel.
The panel space is way less of an issue than having to hire someone to run the wires and install the breaker (since the fact that I have these questions proves I shouldn't do that work). But it's good to know Philly follows the 2017 code without modification; that's super useful.
Even if it wasn't code, you should still do it. Those can pull some crazy high (temporary) amperes so they can easily trip a circuit that might have other stuff on it like your fridge or a toaster/microwave oven making your dinner
Here's a link to the codes Phila currently follows. To the best of my knowledge, only the plumbing code is markedly different from the national codes.
Your link is wrong, 1 horsepower (the biggest a normal disposal is) is about 750 watts, so 6 amps ish. The inrush current to start will be a lot larger, though.
There's "correct" and there's "works." Try it on the existing circuit, if you trip shit, then get a new circuit. Lots of the NEC is best practices put into code because when circuits start tripping, people do dangerous and stupid shit like forcing breakers open.
It's illegal to do your own electrical work in Philly anyway because homeowners cannot pull plumbing or electrical permits without a plumbing or electrical license, but that doesn't stop most people.
Wuz314159 t1_j0zkcvm wrote
Knowing nothing about Philly codes, it's not possible to do this. Typical garbage disposals use 15-20 amps & a dishwasher 10 amps. They will not fit on the same 20 amp circuit.
They should each have their own GFI circuit.