Project Source
High Inrush Current / Marginal Circuit
Garbage disposal causes lights to dim or flicker when starting
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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
Disposal and lighting on same circuit, Undersized branch circuit, Loose neutral or hot connection, Aging motor drawing excessive start current
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Turn off power at the breaker before inspecting electrical connections.
- Check connections: Inspect the disposal's wiring compartment and the service panel for loose connections on the circuit feeding the Project Source unit.
- Reduce shared load: Avoid running other high-draw appliances on the same circuit when using the disposal.
- Consider dedicated circuit: For persistent dimming, have an electrician move the disposal to a dedicated 15–20A circuit.
If the disposal struggles to start and hums before spinning, the motor may be failing and the unit should be replaced.
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Repair Difficulty
Hard
4/5
Required Part
Power Circuit / Motor Assembly
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