Why does my garbage disposal keep tripping the breaker? 

Since its invention in 1927, a garbage disposal has continued to be a useful kitchen appliance that keeps the drain pipes clean and free of debris and clogs. Thanks to its ability to effectively shred food waste into smaller particles that travel smoothly through the plumbing system. However, like any other home appliance, a garbage disposal will run into various problems. For instance, your garbage disposal may keep tripping the circuit breaker, forcing you to press the reset button frequently. If you’re experiencing such a problem, don’t worry! In this article, we’ll look at 7 reasons that might be causing your garbage disposal to trip the circuit breaker! 

6 Reasons why your garbage disposal keeps tripping the breaker 

1. The shredding plate is worn out or jammed 

Garbage disposals are usually mounted on the underside of the kitchen sink to shred food waste materials into tiny pieces that can safely pass through the sink drain. As a result, these units have a grinding chamber that contains a fast-moving spinning disc or impeller plate that shreds the collected food waste. The rotation shredding motion of the impeller then throws the small food particles to the grinding chamber’s outer wall, where they’re washed through the holds. 

Unfortunately, if the shredding plate is significantly worn out or jammed because of stuck food particles, the unit will not work effectively. More notably, this can cause the circuit breaker to trip to protect the garbage disposal from self-inflicted damage. 

What to do if a jammed shredding plate is causing the garbage disposal to trip the breaker? 

• If the shredding plate is jammed, look for an opening at the bottom of the unit. 
• Insert a garbage disposal Allen wrench or ¼” wrench into this opening and wiggle it in alternate anticlockwise or clockwise directions until the shredding plate moves freely. 
• If your garbage disposal unit doesn’t have an opening at the bottom, insert a broom handle into the drain opening and gently wiggle the shredding plate until it moves freely. 

2. Worn-out motor 

The motor bearings of garbage disposals wear out after years of service. Also, the motor can become defective, preventing the shredding plate from rotating freely when the motor is on. Instead, this will cause the disposal to trip the circuit breaker to prevent any damage to the appliance. 

To fix this problem, you need to replace the entire garbage disposal since you cannot repair a worn-out or defective motor. 

3. Circuit breaker overload 

Like with any other kitchen appliance, it’s important to review the power requirements of a garbage disposal before you install one in your home. For instance, you must ensure that the circuit breaker has the correct amperage for the task. Otherwise, the garbage disposal will trip the breaker if it’s too small to handle the electrical load required by the disposal. 

However, you can avoid this problem by replacing the old circuit breaker with one that has a higher rating suitable for garbage disposal. 

4. Connecting multiple devices on the same circuit 

Connecting multiple devices like a garbage disposal and dishwasher on the same circuit can overwhelm the breaker when you activate both appliances. As a result, the circuit breaker will trip, indicating that it does not have the capacity to run both appliances at the same time. The best way to avoid this problem is to connect the garbage disposal to a dedicated circuit. 

4. Poor wiring 

Poor wiring or carelessness when installing a garbage disposal can also cause the circuit breaker to trip. After all, electricity flows through closed conductor loops to power the appliance. Therefore, any wrongful termination may trip the breaker and even destroy your garbage disposer. To avoid this problem, I’d recommend you call a professional to rewire your garbage disposal unit. 

5. Naked/ Stripped wiring

Additionally, using stripped/ naked wires to power your garbage disposal will create a short circuit when two live/ hot wires come into contact. As a result, the circuit breaker will trip as a safety measure to protect your home and appliance from an electrical fire. 

In this case, the best cause of action is to shut off your unit immediately if the garbage disposal is smelling like burning plastic. Next, contact a professional electrician to check and rewire your garbage disposal panel. 

6. The garbage disposal is aging 

If your garbage disposal keeps tripping the problem and you can see the issues we’ve discussed above, there is a good chance it’s old and needs replacement. Besides, most garbage disposals on the market last anywhere between 8 and 15 years. On top of that, their motors get weak over time, causing them to trip the breaker more frequently. On the bright side, there are many good garbage disposals out there you can use to replace the aging ones!  

Conclusion 

Overall, there are a few factors that might be causing your garbage disposal to frequently trip the circuit breaker. For instance, the issue can occur due to loose wiring, a worn-out motor, an overheated system, a clog, or an aged garbage disposal. 

Whichever the case, we hope you have found the right solution in this article. After all, it’s only by determining and addressing the underlying issue that is causing the garbage disposal to keep tripping the breaker that will help you solve the problem!