Whirlaway
Improper Grounding / Ground Fault
Garbage disposal causes noticeable electrical shock or tingle when touching sink or unit
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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
Missing equipment ground on Whirlaway disposal, Reversed hot/neutral wiring, Faulty GFCI protection, Damaged motor insulation leaking current to housing
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Immediately stop using the disposal, turn OFF the breaker, and do not touch metal plumbing or the unit until the issue is resolved.
- Step 1 – Verify GFCI protection: Ensure the disposal is on a GFCI-protected circuit as required by local code. Test the GFCI using its test button.
- Step 2 – Inspect grounding: Have a qualified person verify that the ground wire is properly connected to the disposal’s green ground screw and that the receptacle is correctly grounded.
- Step 3 – Check for wiring errors: Confirm hot and neutral are correctly wired at the outlet and switch.
- Step 4 – Evaluate motor insulation: If wiring and grounding are correct, the motor may be leaking current to the housing. In this case, the disposal must be replaced.
- Step 5 – Retest safely: After corrections and/or replacement, test with a plug-in tester and confirm no shock is felt when touching the sink or unit.
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Repair Difficulty
Professional Required
5/5
Required Part
Grounding Conductor and Motor Insulation
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