Garbage Disposal Keeps Tripping? (Possible Causes & Fixes)

A garbage disposal is a great tool for the kitchen, which is why so many people have them. They make disposing of old food quick and easy. However, they do require maintenance, and it is important to understand what is the matter when something goes wrong. For example, a garbage disposal may keep tripping when it is turned on.

There are several reasons why a garbage disposal may keep tripping. Understanding what may be the root cause, and how to fix it, is important. Read on to discover all you need to know about what to do when your garbage disposal keeps tripping.

A garbage disposal is like any other household appliance in that it requires maintenance to stay working properly and efficiently. For example, if dirt and grime build up inside the garbage disposal, it may lead to rust, leaky pipes, and degraded performance.

A garbage disposal can trip because of improper wiring, stripped wires, and improper care. Additionally, jammed shredding plates and problems with a tripped circuit breaker can cause the garbage disposal to stop running. Finally, this can also happen when too many appliances are running on the same circuit at the same time.

When the garbage disposal keeps tripping, it could be because of one of these reasons. This is why it is important to troubleshoot the issue before going ahead with any repairs. You want to make sure that you are fixing the right thing.

Moreover, proper care and attention to the operation of the garbage disposal can help prevent these issues. For example, by cleaning the garbage disposal regularly, you can avoid jams and clogs in the unit that can cause it to trip.

As mentioned, there are several reasons why your garbage disposal is tripping. It is important to understand each one so you will know better how to handle the situation.

If the wires are stripped, then the garbage disposal may begin to trip. Stripped wires are very dangerous because their protective coating has worn off. When this happens, you may smell something burning around the garbage disposal. In this situation, it is best to turn off the electricity. If you see the wires are stripped, call an electrician.

It is possible the garbage disposal was not wired properly. This can happen during installation if absolute care and attention are not given. If the wires are not connected to the proper terminals, it can cause the circuit breaker to trip. It can also cause the garbage disposal to fail to turn on. If this is the issue, you must also turn off the electricity before trying to fix the issue.

Likewise, there may be an overload in the circuit breaker. When there is an overload in the circuit breaker, it will turn off as a safety precaution. This can happen because the circuit breaker needs to be replaced or because there are too many appliances being used at once on the same circuit.

When the shredding plate located within the garbage disposal is jammed, it can cause the unit to keep tripping. Luckily, it is easy to fix with a screwdriver wiggling the plate free.

If the wiring is to blame for the garbage disposal continuously tripping, it may have happened during the installation process. Of course, it is possible that the wires were faulty to begin with.

It is possible to fix an improperly wired garbage disposal. If you are not familiar with electricity, you may need to call an electrician. However, if you wish to replace the garbage disposal, you should know exactly how the garbage disposal should be wired to avoid any future issues.

Properly installing a garbage disposal has several benefits:

Whether you are installing the garbage disposal or you are troubleshooting why it is tripping, you need to look at your current circuit breaker.

It is vital to make sure that the circuit breaker is large enough to handle a garbage disposal. If its amperage is too low, it will overload quickly and trip.

Make sure that the power required for the garbage disposal is handled by the circuit breaker. If the circuit breaker is not large enough, you will need a new circuit breaker.

Likewise, make sure that the circuit breaker is operating properly. Over time, a circuit breaker can lose some power and begin to fade.

Once the new circuit breaker is installed, the garbage disposal should not continue to trip.

However, if the garbage disposal does continue to trip, then there may be another wiring issue. It is best to look at all the wirings to make sure they are secure and properly connected.

You may need to call an electrician for this job if you are not comfortable with working with electricity or if the garbage disposal keeps tripping even after the new circuit breaker has been installed.

It is important to have the new unit before you begin work removing the old one. Unless you plan on removing the garbage disposal entirely (which means you would need a sink strainer to take its place), it is best to have it beforehand.

Replacing the garbage disposal is not difficult, either. The process is relatively straightforward. Once you remove the old one by disconnecting it from the waste pipe, and you have removed the mounting rings, you can place the new one in.

It is important to remember to clean the sink before installing the new garbage disposal. There may be hidden grime or rust that needs to be cleared before installation. Then you connect the new garbage disposal in the same way that the old one came out. This should solve any issues you have with tripping, and it should last you a long time.