Waste King
High Inrush Current / Shared Circuit Overload
Garbage disposal causes lights to dim significantly when turned 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
Disposal and lighting on same circuit, Undersized wiring, Weak breaker, Motor drawing excessive current due to wear
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Turn OFF power before inspecting electrical panels or junction boxes.
- Step 1 – Identify circuit: Determine which breaker controls the disposal and which lights are dimming. If they share a circuit, consider having a dedicated circuit installed by an electrician.
- Step 2 – Check wire gauge: Ensure the disposal circuit uses appropriate wire size (typically 14 AWG for 15A, 12 AWG for 20A).
- Step 3 – Observe motor behavior: If the disposal struggles to start and causes severe dimming, the motor may be drawing excessive current.
- Step 4 – Consult electrician / replace unit: Have an electrician evaluate the circuit. If the disposal motor is failing, replace the Waste King unit.
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Repair Difficulty
Hard
4/5
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