American Standard Short Circuit / Ground Fault in Disposal or Wiring

Disposal causes the kitchen circuit breaker to trip immediately when switched on.

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Safety Warning

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

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Possible Causes

Water intrusion into motor wiring, Pinched or damaged power cord, Shorted motor windings, Miswired junction box connections

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Leave the breaker OFF until the fault is identified. Do not repeatedly reset a tripping breaker.

  • Inspect cord and plug: Check the American Standard disposal power cord for cuts, crushed sections, or burn marks. Replace if damaged.
  • Check junction box: With breaker OFF, remove the wiring cover on the disposal. Ensure hot, neutral, and ground are correctly connected and no bare wires are touching the housing.
  • Look for moisture: Inspect for signs of leaks above the disposal that may have dripped into the motor or wiring compartment. Fix any leaks before proceeding.
  • Test on dedicated circuit: If safe and you are qualified, temporarily disconnect the disposal and see if the breaker holds with the rest of the circuit. If it only trips when the disposal is connected, the unit is likely shorted.
  • Replace disposal: A disposal that trips the breaker due to internal motor short should be replaced; internal repairs are not practical.
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Repair Difficulty

Hard 4/5

Required Part

Power Cord Kit
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