The first step is to check to see what the problem is. If you turn on the disposal and it makes a noise, then most likely it is just jammed. If it doesn’t make a noise, then there is a possibility that the circuit breaker has been tripped. Check your electrical panel, and reset the circuit breaker. Now look under the unit, and you’ll see a small red reset switch. Press this button or flick the switch and it will turn the unit back on. Turn on the disposal again and it should either hum to designate that it is jammed or it should work properly. If it still doesn’t turn on, then you have a much bigger issue and should contact a professional in order to remedy the issue.

The first step when doing anything with the disposal is to ensure that the power is shutoff to this area of the house. This means that you are going to wait to turn off the circuit breaker, located in the electrical control panel. Once this is in the off position, flip your disposal to on to release any remaining power in the line. You’ll hear you disposal slightly engage, hum, then nothing. This is a sign that it is completely off and that all the power is purged from the line.

After doing this, I generally turn off the water as well. You really don’t need to do this, but as a common practice, I have just gotten used to doing it. This prevents you from accidentally turning on the water in the process and creating a mess to go with your problem.

After you have done both of these steps, take a long handle, like a broom handle or something similar and place into the disposal. NEVER USE YOUR HANDS! While placing it in there, gently try to rotate the blades. If you can easily rotate the blades and don’t feel anything in the way, there is something bigger wrong with your disposal and you should call a professional. If you notice blockage, then you have an obviously jammed disposal.

To clear the jam, take an allen wrench and attempt to clear the jam manually by inserting it into the bottom of the disposal spinning the blades until they come free and can rotate completely. Now again take the broomstick handle and jab at the jam downwards to make sure you clear it from the blades. After you have done this, you can reach down inside the disposal with a set of long nose pliers and pull out whatever is causing the blockage. I generally wear nose plugs because I often get sick by the smell and sight of what comes out. It can be pretty disgusting at times.

Now, turn the water back on and turn on the cold water. By doing this, you will harden any grease inside the disposal, which will allow the disposal to break it up, which it can’t do when the grease is loose and warm.

Turn on the electric, test it out and it should work. If it doesn’t work, then repeat the process ensuring that you have indeed removed all of the blockage. If the problem persists it is a sign of a much bigger issue and will require a professional for assistance.

WARNING : Never use chemicals to clean out your disposal, this could cause a variety of issue within the system.

For more articles by this author, go to Helium.

In a common electrical daisy chain all of the wires color codes are matching throughout the chain. The daisy chain scheme permits assignment of device priorities based on electrical position of the device in the order of the chain. Common uses for daisy chained electrical is for power distribution, analogy signals, digital data and a combination of these components.

There are several benefits to using a daisy chain in electrical sequencing. The first is that electrical wire is saved. Added to this advantage is the fact that less wire means less storage space needed to hide wires from view. Another advantage is that only one power supply is needed to supply power for the entire chain of electrical devices.

In areas such as a tradeshows daisy-chained electrical is a big time and cost saver. With an exhibit that has daisy chained electrical one would only need a single electrical source with the required amperage / wattage for the equipment. This would mean that only one cut would have to be made in the carpet to fish the electrical line though the carpeting as opposed to several cuts that would have to be made to supply each item individually. This saves the life and look of the exhibitors carpeting. Also, each additional line of electrical power comes at a cost, so having fewer power supplies is a much more cost effective method of powering the exhibit area.

The downside of daisy-chained electrical is that if one device fails all of the downstream devices will fail. An example of this failure is seen when Christmas tree strung lights fail. When one of the strung lights fail then all the lights following it fail. Not until a replacement light is completed will the rest of the string of lights become illuminated. If this happens with electrical components that burn out or blow fuses then the component would have to be replaced to get the other components down the line to work properly.

Sometimes daisy chains just refer to the physical connections formed when using devices such as multi-outlet strips. In this reference the power is distributed by the chain. One must remember when using this method of power distribution that each item connected in the power strip is pulling a certain amount of wattage. Once the wattage is maximized then the power line is in danger of failing. This can result in causing the fuse in the multi-outlet strip to blow, or can result in a fire starting. It is best to use only one or two power strips to distribute power if absolutely necessary to try to avoid a potentially dangerous situation.

For more articles by this author, go to Helium.

If you’re tripping your main safety circuit box that could be a sign that you’re overloading the electrical outlets and an indication that an electrical contractor should examine your wiring. Oftentimes, homes are renovated several times without any electrical wiring updated. Yet, this is a part of the house that can cause huge problems if it isn’t kept up-to-date.

Outdated circuit boxes
When a home hits the 40-year mark the biggest area of electrical concern is the circuit breaker box. Zack Israel, owner of Mike Electric, says that when the circuit box becomes outdated, “it doesn’t do what it’s supposed to do.” He says that as the house ages, the brand of the circuit box becomes obsolete “and today, a new generation of improved boxes is being installed.” Israel cautions homeowners about the danger of not replacing an old and outdated circuit box. “If the breaker doesn’t trip then the wire might melt and cause a fire,” says Israel.

Kitchen wiring upgrades
An area of an older home that typically needs upgraded wiring is the kitchen. “The kitchen is an area that always needs to be upgraded after 40 years. Several decades ago we didn’t have microwaves and all the appliances that we have today,” says Israel. He says that what can happen if the kitchen wiring isn’t upgraded is that when appliances are used, the circuit breaker trips or, even worse, it doesn’t trip at all. “So the kitchen is an area that you want to upgrade and bring more power to it,” he says.

The electrical code requires two circuits of 20-amps, 120 volts for GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) receptacles for the kitchen/eating area. However, more might be necessary depending on appliances being used.

Heavy-duty appliances need dedicated outlet
A common problem for homeowners occurs when there isn’t proper distribution of the electrical circuits. Israel says homeowners often don’t understand this. “Let’s say for example that [depending on the weather] a homeowner tries to use a portable air conditioning system or heater and plugs it into just any plug – and boom! there’s no power – it trips the circuit. This is common. People don’t know that they need a dedicated circuit for that kind of appliance,” says Israel.

Wire insulation cracks
Another big problem for older homes is that electrical wiring insulation cracks. “Especially in the ceiling lights, the heat from the light rises into the box and causes the wiring insulation to crack,” says Israel. When homeowners consider tackling the task of rewiring their home they’re often overwhelmed by it—feeling like it will be too expensive and too much trouble. While it is true rewiring can be a major renovation that, in some cases, even means the homeowner must leave the home for a period of time – due to electricity needing to be turned off or just the inconvenience of living with workers in your home — the end result of peace of mind from knowing your electrical system is working properly and no longer at risk of causing a fire – (a major concern of home insurers) – is well worth the expense and any temporary hassles.

Written by Phoebe Chongchua as found in Craig Lilly’s Newsletter.

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