Light over kitchen sink - conduit & switching questions
#1
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Light over kitchen sink - conduit & switching questions
I'm replacing an old pull-switch light above my kitchen sink with a small 50 Watt Halogen pendant light that will be switched on the wall. At the same time I want to move the garbage disposal switch from under the sink to the wall too. I have a couple of question for which I'd appreciate any insight:
1) Is there a minimum height that the pendant light must be above the sink? At this point it'll be at least 34" above the sink. (The height to the lock on the double-hung window in front of the sink is 33")
2) To avoid wall-studs, I want to use flexible metal conduit from the light to a j-box (or pull-elbow) inside a cupboard, then go into the wall down to the switch from there. Is this acceptable?
(I plan on doing the same for the garbage disposal)
3) Is there any standard/code that states how far from the sink the switch should be? Or high above the counter?
4) I want to put the lightswitch & garbage disposal switch in the same box, are there any conventions/code on which switch should be closer to the sink?
5) Can I put this type of halogen light on a dimmer switch? I want to leave it on in the evening but want it less bright if I don't need task lighting.
Thanks in advance!
1) Is there a minimum height that the pendant light must be above the sink? At this point it'll be at least 34" above the sink. (The height to the lock on the double-hung window in front of the sink is 33")
2) To avoid wall-studs, I want to use flexible metal conduit from the light to a j-box (or pull-elbow) inside a cupboard, then go into the wall down to the switch from there. Is this acceptable?
(I plan on doing the same for the garbage disposal)
3) Is there any standard/code that states how far from the sink the switch should be? Or high above the counter?
4) I want to put the lightswitch & garbage disposal switch in the same box, are there any conventions/code on which switch should be closer to the sink?
5) Can I put this type of halogen light on a dimmer switch? I want to leave it on in the evening but want it less bright if I don't need task lighting.
Thanks in advance!
#2
Try to avoid unecessary junctions!
Is there some physical reason that you cannot take the flex all the way to the new switch box? If your changing over to conduit, and both raceways are the same size, a straight through connection is not required to be accessible. Use a listed change over fitting for a smoother transition and keep the total degrees of all bends under 360 and your done.
How is the disposal connected now?
How is the disposal connected now?
#3
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Thanks for the advice.
You asked- Is there some physical reason that you cannot take the flex all the way to the new switch box?
Only that I can't make a 90 degree turn with the flexible metal conduit. I'm trying to minimize plaster & wood repairs. I going from ceiling light box to the cupboard via a 1'x1' wide wooden enclosure (this enclosure exists instead of cupboards directly above the sink). Then when I punch thru the cupboard closest to the sink, I wanted to make a 90 degree turn to the wall inside the cupboard. I need to go as far of that cupboard to get past the wallstuds. I guess I could try to angle thru the back corner in a way to avoid any connectors since aesthetics aren't important here.
You asked - How is the disposal connected now?
The circuit for the disposal comes to a box (with the switch) underneath the sink, and then continues to the disposal.
You asked- Is there some physical reason that you cannot take the flex all the way to the new switch box?
Only that I can't make a 90 degree turn with the flexible metal conduit. I'm trying to minimize plaster & wood repairs. I going from ceiling light box to the cupboard via a 1'x1' wide wooden enclosure (this enclosure exists instead of cupboards directly above the sink). Then when I punch thru the cupboard closest to the sink, I wanted to make a 90 degree turn to the wall inside the cupboard. I need to go as far of that cupboard to get past the wallstuds. I guess I could try to angle thru the back corner in a way to avoid any connectors since aesthetics aren't important here.
You asked - How is the disposal connected now?
The circuit for the disposal comes to a box (with the switch) underneath the sink, and then continues to the disposal.
#4
1) No.
2) Yes.
3) No. No. Use common sense.
4) I would put the light switch closer to the sink, and the disposal switch farther away. The disposal switch should be far enough away from the sink so that you can't have one hand in the disposal and one hand on the switch at the same time. But it should be close enough so that you'll notice immediately if somebody gets near that switch while your hand is in the disposal.
5) Yes.
2) Yes.
3) No. No. Use common sense.
4) I would put the light switch closer to the sink, and the disposal switch farther away. The disposal switch should be far enough away from the sink so that you can't have one hand in the disposal and one hand on the switch at the same time. But it should be close enough so that you'll notice immediately if somebody gets near that switch while your hand is in the disposal.
5) Yes.