hi guys. just put in a new dishwasher (working fine), but i created another issue in hte process.
my understanding/guess at the wiring...
20amp (matches dishwasher)
12/2 wire.
ok, so simply, the dishwasher, garbage disposal, and the switch that controls the garbage disposal are all on one breaker.
original config:
dishwasher outlet was an outlet. 2 lines in the junction.
garbage disposal outlet: 1 line in the junction
switch on counter: only black/white
so the 2 wires in the dishwasher outlet... i believe one is an "in" and one line is an "out" -- where that out goes, i'm unsure. My original thought was to the disposal outlet, but that outlet only has 1 line in it - so not sure how it'd tie to the switch if that was the case.
what i've done:
I originally only had the dishwasher/"in"-line together
dishwasher worked fine, garbage disposal 0v
so i figured i just disconnected it, so i combined the in/out lines AND the diswasher (all 12/2) together (red). I pigtailed them sufficiently and wire nutted them.
no change - i get 0-3v at the disposal outlet.
I measure the 3 lines tied to each other at the junction and all 3 seem to be showing 120v.
I pulled the switch out, measured 60v with it OFF, and 0v with it IN (not a typo, correct off/on order).
So i thought the switch might be faulty. I cut the switch off and measured black/white and still read 60v. (just testing to wires, no switch)
so somewhere i'm dropping half my voltage. note: the switch doesn't have a ground connected to it.
At this point, i'm not sure of a few things:
1) is it expected to be at 60v and the full 120v is intended to be sent to the end-connection? (read that regarding lights in another post)
2) does it sound right that the "out" line frmo the washer supplies the disposal?
-----
random thoughts:
a) thought about removing the washer and just reconnecting the 2 lines in the washer junction and seeing my results
b) not sure how the switch connects to the disposal. they each only have 1 line coming into them, with no outs.
if not obvious, i'm a novice. first real attempt at electrical work. tried my best on this, but just about reaching my limits.
Any advice would be sincerely appreciated.
note - the switch has no function on the dishwasher itself, only the disposal outlet.
the only concern i have with the wiring was done previous to me doing anything.
the original 2 lines in the washer junction had their grounds very thoroughly pigtailed (almost 3 inches of pigtail tight). I didn't think i could do a better job than that, so i left it there and tied the ground of the dishwasher to the 1-2 inches of excess from that pigtail. I figured as long as they all came together at a similar logical point, the effect would be the same -- is that a faulty assumption? Is it possible i need to touch specifically to the other ground it's not physically contacting (even though it logically appears to be?)
as you can see, i've put a decent amount of newbie effort into this and drawing blanks.
my understanding/guess at the wiring...
20amp (matches dishwasher)
12/2 wire.
ok, so simply, the dishwasher, garbage disposal, and the switch that controls the garbage disposal are all on one breaker.
original config:
dishwasher outlet was an outlet. 2 lines in the junction.
garbage disposal outlet: 1 line in the junction
switch on counter: only black/white
so the 2 wires in the dishwasher outlet... i believe one is an "in" and one line is an "out" -- where that out goes, i'm unsure. My original thought was to the disposal outlet, but that outlet only has 1 line in it - so not sure how it'd tie to the switch if that was the case.
what i've done:
I originally only had the dishwasher/"in"-line together
dishwasher worked fine, garbage disposal 0v
so i figured i just disconnected it, so i combined the in/out lines AND the diswasher (all 12/2) together (red). I pigtailed them sufficiently and wire nutted them.
no change - i get 0-3v at the disposal outlet.
I measure the 3 lines tied to each other at the junction and all 3 seem to be showing 120v.
I pulled the switch out, measured 60v with it OFF, and 0v with it IN (not a typo, correct off/on order).
So i thought the switch might be faulty. I cut the switch off and measured black/white and still read 60v. (just testing to wires, no switch)
so somewhere i'm dropping half my voltage. note: the switch doesn't have a ground connected to it.
At this point, i'm not sure of a few things:
1) is it expected to be at 60v and the full 120v is intended to be sent to the end-connection? (read that regarding lights in another post)
2) does it sound right that the "out" line frmo the washer supplies the disposal?
-----
random thoughts:
a) thought about removing the washer and just reconnecting the 2 lines in the washer junction and seeing my results
b) not sure how the switch connects to the disposal. they each only have 1 line coming into them, with no outs.
if not obvious, i'm a novice. first real attempt at electrical work. tried my best on this, but just about reaching my limits.
Any advice would be sincerely appreciated.
note - the switch has no function on the dishwasher itself, only the disposal outlet.
the only concern i have with the wiring was done previous to me doing anything.
the original 2 lines in the washer junction had their grounds very thoroughly pigtailed (almost 3 inches of pigtail tight). I didn't think i could do a better job than that, so i left it there and tied the ground of the dishwasher to the 1-2 inches of excess from that pigtail. I figured as long as they all came together at a similar logical point, the effect would be the same -- is that a faulty assumption? Is it possible i need to touch specifically to the other ground it's not physically contacting (even though it logically appears to be?)
as you can see, i've put a decent amount of newbie effort into this and drawing blanks.