McAlpine High Inrush Current / Shared Circuit Issue

Disposal causes lights to dim or flicker noticeably when starting.

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.

Possible Causes

Disposal and lighting on same circuit, Weak supply wiring, Motor drawing excessive start current due to wear, Undersized breaker or cable for McAlpine unit rating

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Consult a qualified electrician for circuit modifications.

Check circuit loading: Identify what else is on the same circuit as the McAlpine disposal and consider moving lighting to a different circuit.
Assess motor condition: If dimming has worsened over time, the motor may be drawing more current due to wear.
Upgrade wiring (professional): An electrician may recommend a dedicated circuit for the disposal.

Repair Difficulty

Medium 3/5

Required Part

Electrical Circuit / Motor Assembly

Check Price on Amazon

We may earn a commission from links on this page.