By Dave Rongey Summary:
Electrical Troubleshooting Question: My garbage disposal stopped working. The outlet it was plugged into also powered the dishwasher.
Check Out What Others Are Sharing at Ask the Electrician: You provide a lot of helpful information. Great job & thank you. Robert from St. Sauveur, Quebec, Canada
Electrical Troubleshooting Question: My garbage disposal stopped working. The outlet it was plugged into also powered the dishwasher. The receptacle to the dishwasher worked, but the disposal receptacle did not. I replaced the entire outlet, the disposal, and the switch above the sink that operated the disposal.
Now, the disposal works when plugged in, but the switch to turn it off does not. I don't know where to go from here.
Thanks- Ed H.
Hi Ed - Great Electrical Repair Question! From the information you gave me I believe you may have not removed the tab that is found between the brass screws on the outlet.
Turn off the power to the plug and check this.
The tab can be removed by using a small screw driver and wiggle it back and forth or by snipping it with a pair of cutters.
From: Ed H.
Dave,
Thanks for the tip. Do I need to clip the brass tabs on both sides of the double-receptacle outlet?
Also, do I need to clip the tabs on the switch-receptacle next to the sink, too?
Thanks a lot, Ed
Hi Ed,
You should only have to clip the brass hot side of the outlet where the disposal and the dishwasher are plugged into.
Dave
Dave,
I followed your advice and everything is now working as it should.
I really appreciate your help. Cutting that brass tab seems to be a very important detail and not one that I found easily when researching this problem. I'm a recently retired Air Force Officer, living in the suburbs of Kansas City, and now working as a financial planner. If you ever need any financial advice regarding investing, insurance, retirement planning, or mutual funds, please drop me an e-mail and I would be happy to reciprocate your assistance.
Thanks again. Ed
Electrical Wiring Video #2
Electrical Wiring Tips for Home Electrical Wiring Projects
Tripping Circuit Breaker, Outlet at a Wall Switch, Light Fixture without a Ground Wire, Help with Home Electrical Wiring Projects.
See more House Wiring Videos from Ask The Electrician:
Perfect for Homeowners, Students, Handyman, Handywomen, and Electricians Includes: Wiring GFCI Outlets Wiring Home Electric Circuits 120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits Wiring Light Switches Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet How to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring ....and much more.
Skill Level:
Intermediate to Advanced - Electrical Repairs and Circuit Wiring is Best Performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Tools Required:
Basic Electricians Pouch of Hand Tools, a Voltage Tester and a Multi Meter.
Estimated Time:
Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools, work with electrical wiring, and the available access to the project area. Precaution:
Identify the project circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.
Important:
Modifying existing electrical circuits or installing additional electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.
This is a testing tool that is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
This is great to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring, is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets
Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency
Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included
Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect, Very handy and easy to use.
A wire stripping tool used to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.
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