Why Does My Garbage Disposal Keep Resetting or Tripping the Breaker?
When they work properly, garbage disposals are a great way to clean dishes without having to worry about sink clogs. However, these kitchen appliances can sometimes malfunction. Have you noticed that your breaker keeps tripping whenever you run your disposal? This can be more than just an inconvenience. A tripping breaker often signifies an underlying problem with your garbage disposal. If you want to keep your disposal functional, here’s what you need to know.
How Garbage Disposals Work
In order to get the answer to your question, it’s useful to know some basics about how garbage disposals work. Your garbage disposal has three main parts: the chamber that catches food, the blades that pulverize the food, and the motor that spins the blades.
The motor is the underlying cause of all tripped breakers and reset machinery. When you turn on the disposal, electrical connections power up the motor and start spinning the blades. However, if something goes wrong with the flow of electricity, your breaker will trip in order to protect your home’s electrical system. Many garbage disposals will also have a built-in safety feature that functions similarly. This reset feature will temporarily turn off your garbage disposal if it detects any issues.
Common Reasons Your Garbage Disposal Keeps Resetting or Tripping
There are all sorts of electrical issues that can lead to tripped breakers and resets. Here are the most common reasons people’s breakers trip when they use their garbage disposal.
Food Jams or Blockages
Sometimes the cause of a broken garbage disposal is as simple as bones, tough bits of vegetables, or kitchen utensils getting into your disposal. When the disposal is jammed, it goes into overdrive trying to break up the blockage. This can trigger safety features that shut down the disposal before damage is done.
Overloading the Disposal
Garbage disposals are meant to handle a small, regular stream of food and water. If you throw a bunch of food in and run it for a while, you can end up overworking your machine and triggering a shutoff.
Electrical Problems
There’s always a chance your tripped breaker is due to a problem with your home’s electrical system. Something like a poorly insulated wire or a loose connection may be causing power fluctuations that trip the breaker every time you try to power up your disposal.
Old or Failing Unit
Sometimes the electrical problems that are triggering a shutoff aren’t coming from your wiring. If your garbage disposal is old or faulty, it can have internal issues that trip your breaker. Things like a fraying wire or an inefficient motor can end up causing electrical surges that trip your breaker.
What to Do When Your Disposal Trips
If your disposal trips, you have a few potential ways to solve your garbage disposal issues. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot your garbage disposal.
1. Turn Off the Power
Start by flicking the switch that powers your breaker to the off position. This doesn’t actually affect the breaker, but it’s an important safety measure to take before trying further fixes.
2. Press the Reset Button
Look on the bottom of your disposal for a reset button. This is usually red, and it’s a safety measure meant to stop your disposal from working if it’s jammed. Push the button until it stays pushed in after you move your finger.
3. Check for Jams
Shine a light in the drain and see if there are any clogs in your disposal. If you see any food obstructing the blades, use tongs to remove it.
4. Restore Power
Reset your circuit breaker, and then flip the switch to restore power to your garbage disposal. If a simple clog is the problem, it will start up again.
When to Call a Professional
While quick fixes can temporarily address a garbage disposal that isn’t working, sometimes you’ll need to call in a professional. Here are some signs it’s time for expert garbage disposal repair:
You’ve checked and haven’t found any clog in your garbage disposal.
The disposal is making strange sounds when you turn it on.
You notice odd burning smells when you use the disposal.
Your breaker keeps tripping when you use the garbage disposal.
You hear a buzzing or sizzling noise near the disposal, wall, or circuit box.
You see sparks coming from your circuit box.
Preventing Future Trips
If you’re concerned about future trips, the best thing you can do is make sure your electrical system is properly updated. Ensure you have enough circuits for all your kitchen appliances, and make sure any outlets near your disposal use GFCI safety devices.
It’s also smart to avoid overloading your garbage disposal. Prevent jams by not putting items like bones or avocado pits in the disposal, and always run water when you use it. To prevent overheating, avoid running your garbage disposal for too long or putting a lot of sticky foods, like mashed potatoes or bread, down the drain.
Does Your Disposal Keep Giving You Trouble?
If you’re tired of dealing with garbage disposal problems, turn to Benjamin Franklin of Melbourne. Our team of expert plumbers has plenty of experience working on all sorts of garbage disposal models. We can assess your system, let you know what’s wrong, and recommend potential repairs. We also provide garbage disposal installation services if you’re ready to replace your system with a more reliable model. Ready to have a garbage disposal that removes waste quickly and efficiently? Contact us now to get started.