switch capacity for a sink disposal

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switch capacity for a sink disposal

Postby Jeff » Sat Jan 21, 2006 11:19 pm

I have a kitchen sink disposal that is 1HP, 120 volts, 10.2 Amps that is to be controlled by a old fashion push button switch that is rated 300watts, can we use this switch?
Jeff
 

Postby Mike Wright » Mon Jan 23, 2006 3:08 pm

Power (in Watts) = Volts x Current (in Amps), so 120V x 10.2A = 1224 Watts, so the short answer is NO!
1 horsepower = 750 Watts (approx), and the extra (to 1224W) is probably to allow for inefficiencies, and start-up current which is usually higher than the steady state current.
Even if your switch survived the start-up current, the steady state current would still cause it to overheat. If your lucky it would just stop working, if your not it'll catch fire....
Mike Wright
 
Posts: 26
Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2004 10:08 pm
Location: Derby, UK


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