Eliminating a switched outlet?

[Commendatore]

For whatever reason, my dishwasher is on a switched outlet. House was built in 2003. I can't think of a single logical reason for this. I've adapted, but once in a while someone comes along and turns it off mid cycle.

Since everything is inside a box in the wall, is it kosher to eliminate the switch, wire nut everything together and cover over the wall plate opening with something like this?

http://m.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-Blank-Insert-for-Toggle-Switch-White-R02-80700-00W/203296450

While I'm at it, I have a few ceiling fans that were wired with the light and fan motor on separate switches. I installed a remote on each that uses only one of the switches and have a heck of a time remember which switch is operational and which is useless. Is the same thing good there?

 

[dave89iroc]

Might be wired into the plug intended for a garbage disposal

 

[NUISANCE]

Might be wired into the plug intended for a garbage disposal

That would be my guess also. There should be 2 outlets under there, one always on and one for the disposal. Someone was being lazy....

 

[Norcal]

Might be wired into the plug intended for a garbage disposal

Is the receptacle a duplex under the kitchen sink? If this is the case try the other part of the duplex.

 

[Commendatore]

I've never actually seen the outlet, it's presumably behind the dishwasher. There is a separate switched outlet for the disposal under the sink.

 

[happy2rv]

I don't believe eliminating the switch is an issue. I would use a solid cover plate like this though.

 

[Commendatore]

Oh I should have mentioned, the switch in question is in the middle of a 3 gang box. Overhead lighting and the garbage disposal are on either side.

 

[pattenp]

Put a child proof switch cover on the center switch. Look up switch guard.

 

[happy2rv]

In that case, yes the insert you referenced would work or you could use one of these:

You would have to move one of the switches though.

 

[Norcal]

There are fillers for switches, but you will not find them at big box stores.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Im wondering if the DW is hardwired and someone put it on a switch to function as a disconnect so they didnt have to walk their lazy *** to the breaker panel...

 

[info2x]

There are fillers for switches, but you will not find them at big box stores.

Like the OP linked to or are you talking about something else?

I've never actually seen the outlet, it's presumably behind the dishwasher. There is a separate switched outlet for the disposal under the sink.

Oh I should have mentioned, the switch in question is in the middle of a 3 gang box. Overhead lighting and the garbage disposal are on either side.

Have you seen the outlet to the garbage disposal?

Now since you have a switch for the disposal it does take some wind out of the theory of the disposal switch.

 

[Commendatore]

Yes, the disposal outlet is in plane view under the sink and it appears as normal.

I'm the third owner of this place, but it's typical cookie cutter construction. Surely it hasn't been modified by anyone and I expect the "dishwasher on a switch" situation is as originally wired. Why, I have no idea.

 

[Zippercat]

Im wondering if the DW is hardwired and someone put it on a switch to function as a disconnect so they didnt have to walk their lazy *** to the breaker panel...

Exactly that. In some communities the inspectors require those switches. OP might want to check, or at least plan on reinstalling the switch before selling the house in the future.

 

[Whitworth]

My guess is the switch was intended as a child lock-out to prevent toddlers from activating the wash cycle.

 

[woodzy]

My dishwasher plugs into an outlet but if that was not the case I was informed that they wanted a switch in the event it was hard wired to the dishwasher. I think some communities have some "codes" that they think make sense. I would just take the switch out, tie the two black wires together and put a cover plate on with a blank in the one spot and not lose any sleep over it.

 

[Norcal]

If the OP is under the 2014, removal of the switch triggers the requirement that the dishwasher be GFCI protected. This does not apply to earlier NEC editions, it's new in the 2014.

 

[ThomasP]

My guess is the switch was intended as a child lock-out to prevent toddlers from activating the wash cycle.

I'd put my money on this bet.