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My power outlet for my food disposal suddenly doesn't work anymore. What could be the problem? I'm seeking help on how to fix this myself. If there is any help I would be happy..
Power outlet
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128 Posts
do you have a voltage tester?...that would be the first step...there may be a reset button on your disposal..but verify voltage first
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1,054 Posts
Bad switch? Tripped breaker? What kind of testing equipment do you have.
Are you sure it's the receptacle and not the disposer? Most have a little reset button on the bottom.
Are you sure it's the receptacle and not the disposer? Most have a little reset button on the bottom.
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1,054 Posts
I failed to mention back stabbed connections on the switch and/or receptacle that are not making contact.
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i have tested the voltage and it's around 65.0 and i tested other outlet and it's 120.0 i tested the diposal to another outlet elsewhere and it works fine....
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128 Posts
you may have a bad neutral...turn power off an pull the outlet out, verify the connections...also, the dishwasher is probably on the circuit as well...you'll just have to pull some stuff out and check...
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5,990 Posts
If the neutral is open-circuited it can't be the breaker.
If both the neutral and hot are open-circuited it's probably an upstream GFCI.
Use an incandescent bulb across your voltmeter leads to prevent it from reading phantom voltages (which read about 120/2 volts if the Romex has a ground wire in it, else they read about 120v).
If both the neutral and hot are open-circuited it's probably an upstream GFCI.
Use an incandescent bulb across your voltmeter leads to prevent it from reading phantom voltages (which read about 120/2 volts if the Romex has a ground wire in it, else they read about 120v).
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8 Posts
what do you mean by bad neutral?
Does the dishwasher plug into the same receptacle?
Test voltage from hot to neutral (right slot to left slot if ground is down)
Then test from hot to ground.
This will tell you if the problem is on the hot (incoming, black) side or the neutral (return, white) side.
Test voltage from hot to neutral (right slot to left slot if ground is down)
Then test from hot to ground.
This will tell you if the problem is on the hot (incoming, black) side or the neutral (return, white) side.
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we don't have a dishwasher.. we only have the receptical plugged in..
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128 Posts
you aren't being very helpful...pull the disposal outlet out and tell us what you see...check the disposal switch...
Attached to your outlet you should see 3 wires. One is hot, one is neutral, and the other is your ground. When someone says you have "a bad neutral," they are trying to tell you that one of the wires (the neutral) might be functioning properly. There are a number of reasons why it might not be functioning properly, but first we need to make sure that's the problem.
Perform the tests that 220/221 suggested and post your results.
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This is what i see.. one wire is loose, but i don't want to plug in without letting u guys know... please help me..
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If that is the way it came out of the wall, the neutral wire is not connected to the outlet.
Are you sure the power is off? If so the connect the wire back to the screw.
It looks like it came from a back stab connection, so wrap it around the screw.
You should also cut some more of that cabinet out so the outlet fits inside the box properly, and put a cover on.
Are you sure the power is off? If so the connect the wire back to the screw.
It looks like it came from a back stab connection, so wrap it around the screw.
You should also cut some more of that cabinet out so the outlet fits inside the box properly, and put a cover on.
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it has one white wire, one red wire, and one black wire, and one ground.
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The white wire goes on the other side. It came out of a hole in the back of the outlet.
Since you do not have screws, push the wire back into on of the holes, then give a slight tug. If the wire comes out, put it into the other hole.
The best thing you can do is buy a new receptacle and replace the one you have by using the screws.
If you replace the outlet, make sure youo break the tab where the black an red wires go.
Yes I email, but this allows others that may have the same type of problem in the future.
Since you do not have screws, push the wire back into on of the holes, then give a slight tug. If the wire comes out, put it into the other hole.
The best thing you can do is buy a new receptacle and replace the one you have by using the screws.
If you replace the outlet, make sure youo break the tab where the black an red wires go.
Yes I email, but this allows others that may have the same type of problem in the future.
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this discussion is good, and it really helped me. to moderator please close discussion because it works.
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It might work but I hope you fixed it properly.
1. Replace the receptacle.
2. The hole in the panelling needs to line up with the electrical box.
3. The recepatcle must screw to the electrical box. The way it is in the picture it doesn't look possible.
4. Use screw terminals not back stabs. Your same problem happens with them often.
1. Replace the receptacle.
2. The hole in the panelling needs to line up with the electrical box.
3. The recepatcle must screw to the electrical box. The way it is in the picture it doesn't look possible.
4. Use screw terminals not back stabs. Your same problem happens with them often.
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