Undersink Outlet - Switched

[ssjones]

I have a curious electric outlet issue that I just discovered.
Our home in Louisiana, purchased last year, has a pretty elaborate 7-stage under sink water filtration system with a UV lamp. The water down here is awful, so I like having this for drinking water, etc.

ROES-PHUV75 - Essence Alkaline Mineral pHPlus and UV Ultra-Violet Sterilizer 75 GPD 7-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Systems for Drinking Water

APEC Water - USA Top Tier - Alkaline Mineral pHPlus and UV Ultra-Violet Sterilizer 7-Stage Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System - 75 GPD (ROES-PHUV75)

www.apecwater.com

I purchased a new set of the three filters and a UV lamp.
When I put the UV light in, it didn't come on.
The light goes to a duplex outlet under the sink, which is where the garbage disposal also gets power.
The outlet is switched. So, the UV light never worked, unless the garbage disposal was on (and likely the bulb was near new)
My issue is they didn't run power to the outlet, and then to a wall switch. But rather power the wall switch, than to the outlet.
I don't think there is an easy solution. Pulling a new wire under there would be pretty challenging.
Are there any other options?

 

[The Cobbler]

by pass the switch , install a garburator air switch on one of the receptacles for the garburator & plug the UV lamp into the other unswitched outlet

 

[PCustoms]

Leave the switch on (or nut the wires together and put a blank cover on) now you have power at the outlet. Come off that with a second switch to a new outlet for the disposal.

You could have an air switch as the "new" switch too.

 

[csp]

Are you sure that both plugs of the outlets are switched? Those undercabinet outlets usually also are the power source for a dishwasher which requires a constant hot. This is done by breaking the buss bar on the hot side of the outlet and running each plug on it's own power leg in the same wire, usually 12-3 with a black/red/white/ground arrangement.

 

[The Cobbler]

they didn't run power to the outlet, and then to a wall switch. But rather power the wall switch, than to the outlet.

Are you sure that both plugs of the outlets are switched

appears yes

 

[ssjones]

Are you sure that both plugs of the outlets are switched? Those undercabinet outlets usually also are the power source for a dishwasher which requires a constant hot. This is done by breaking the buss bar on the hot side of the outlet and running each plug on it's own power leg in the same wire, usually 12-3 with a black/red/white/ground arrangement.

Yep, tried that.
The outlet only as a white/black to one leg of the duplex from the switch. When I broke the bus bar on the lower outlet, now it no longer works with the switch.

 

[ssjones]

by pass the switch , install a garburator air switch on one of the receptacles for the garburator & plug the UV lamp into the other unswitched outlet

Ah, understood. We're getting new countertops in the near future, that will be the time to install that switch. Looks similar to how whirlpool tubs are turned on.

Amazon.com : garbage disposal air switch kit

 

[Codyboy]

We just leave the switch on for the dishwasher.
It doesn't make the dw turn on but just supplies power to it.
I think the only reason there's a switch is to keep toddlers from ousing buttons on the dw and turning it on.

 

[Shiftless]

We're getting new countertops in the near future, that will be the time to install that switch.

I installed my garbage disposer air switch into one of the holes that was already there in my kitchen sink next to the faucet.
Maybe your sink has extra holes. Many do depending on what kind of faucet was installed.

 

[75gmck25]

Air-operated garbage disposal switches have been common in kitchens for quite a while. Adding a hole for switch installation should be a common task for a countertop designer/builder.

 

[ssjones]

I guess I'll have to wait until the new countertops go on. When removed,I'll have access to run correct wiring to the outlet, then back to the switch (mine is reversed). I'll just eliminate the wall switch and go with the air switch.

 

[PCustoms]

I guess I'll have to wait until the new countertops go on. When removed,I'll have access to run correct wiring to the outlet, then back to the switch (mine is reversed). I'll just eliminate the wall switch and go with the air switch.

As I said in post 3, nut the wires together in the switch box and use a blank cover. Now the outlet is always hot.

Plug an air switch into the existing outlet, and drill a hole in the countertop.

Done, and can be transferred to the new countertop in a minute.

 

[dave*99]

We just leave the switch on for the dishwasher.
It doesn't make the dw turn on but just supplies power to it.
I think the only reason there's a switch is to keep toddlers from ousing buttons on the dw and turning it on.

Is it possible you have the wiring arrangement mentioned in post 4? With your dishwasher plugged into the switched receptacle rather than the always live receptacle?

 

[theoldwizard1]

Leave the switch on (or nut the wires together and put a blank cover on) now you have power at the outlet. Come off that with a second switch to a new outlet for the disposal.

When garbage disposers first started showing up, it was common to have the switch UNDER the sink !

 

[Shiftless]

When garbage disposers first started showing up, it was common to have the switch UNDER the sink !

That’s how it was wired up when we moved in to our current home in 1982.

I changed it to an air switch

 

[dave*99]

There are wireless options too

https://www.amazon.com/Disposal-Wireless-Drilling-Household-Appliances/dp/B07KQ1RJLT?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[ssjones]

As I said in post 3, but the wires together in the switch box and use a blank cover. Not the outlet is always hot.

Plug an air switch into the existing outlet, and drill a hole in the countertop.

Done, and can be transferred to the new countertop in a minute.

Ah, thanks, that sunk in now. Just eliminate the switch, understood!
We have an in-counter soap dispenser that is always empty. I'll see if I can talk the wife into repurposing that hole.

 

[ssjones]

Is it possible you have the wiring arrangement mentioned in post 4? With your dishwasher plugged into the switched receptacle rather than the always live receptacle?

The dishwasher is direct wired.

 

[PCustoms]

I'll see if I can talk the wife into repurposing that hole.

 

[Codyboy]

Is it possible you have the wiring arrangement mentioned in post 4? With your dishwasher plugged into the switched receptacle rather than the always live receptacle?

No not possible.
My dishwasher has its own switch, the garbage disposal has its own switch.
Each is hardwired from their switch.
I do not have an outlet under any cabinets.
Hardwired. No cords.
Like God intended .

 

[ssjones]

I paused as I typed that....

 

[niget2002]

I paused as I typed that....

So did she.

 

[no704]

Bypass switch. Split outlet, add switch under sink for disposal.

 

[LOW1]

I have a curious electric outlet issue that I just discovered.
Our home in Louisiana, purchased last year, has a pretty elaborate 7-stage under sink water filtration system with a UV lamp. The water down here is awful, so I like having this for drinking water, etc.

ROES-PHUV75 - Essence Alkaline Mineral pHPlus and UV Ultra-Violet Sterilizer 75 GPD 7-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Systems for Drinking Water

APEC Water - USA Top Tier - Alkaline Mineral pHPlus and UV Ultra-Violet Sterilizer 7-Stage Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System - 75 GPD (ROES-PHUV75)

www.apecwater.com

I purchased a new set of the three filters and a UV lamp.
When I put the UV light in, it didn't come on.
The light goes to a duplex outlet under the sink, which is where the garbage disposal also gets power.
The outlet is switched. So, the UV light never worked, unless the garbage disposal was on (and likely the bulb was near new)
My issue is they didn't run power to the outlet, and then to a wall switch. But rather power the wall switch, than to the outlet.
I don't think there is an easy solution. Pulling a new wire under there would be pretty challenging.
Are there any other options?

Since the dishwasher is hardwired can you add a box and outlet behind the dw For the light?

 

[ssjones]

Since the dishwasher is hardwired can you add a box and outlet behind the dw For the light?

I don't need the light that bad...the dishwasher is two cabinets away.