KitchenAid
Miswired Switch or Constant Hot Feed
Garbage disposal hums continuously even with the wall switch in the OFF position.
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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
Line and load reversed at switch, Disposal wired to always-hot conductor, Shorted switch loop
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety First: Immediately turn OFF the breaker. Do not leave the disposal energized with the switch OFF.
Step-by-step:
- 1. Inspect switch wiring: With breaker OFF, remove the wall switch and verify that the hot feed and switched leg are correctly placed on the switch terminals.
- 2. Check outlet/junction box: Ensure the KitchenAid disposal is connected to the switched hot, not the constant hot.
- 3. Correct wiring: Rewire as needed so that the disposal only receives power when the switch is ON.
- 4. Replace faulty switch: If the switch is internally shorted, replace it.
- 5. Test: Restore power and confirm the disposal is silent when the switch is OFF.
When to call a technician: Any uncertainty about wiring should be handled by a licensed electrician.
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Repair Difficulty
Hard
4/5
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