Garbage disposal switch gives a shock when touched

Symptoms

• Feel a tingle or shock touching the wall switch
• Shock felt touching the sink or faucet while the disposal runs
• Sensation is stronger with wet hands
• May coincide with a GFCI tripping

Likely causes

• CommonGround fault in the disposal motor or wiringWater intrusion into the motor or a damaged wire can energize the metal housing or switch.
• CommonMissing or failed ground connectionWithout a proper ground path, a fault has nowhere safe to go except through you.
• PossibleFaulty wall switch with internal wiring faultWater or wear inside the switch box can create a leakage path.

What to do

1. Stop using the disposal and the switch immediately.
2. Turn off the breaker for that circuit right away rather than touching the switch again.
3. Avoid touching the sink, faucet, or disposal with wet hands until it's been checked by a professional.
4. Do not attempt to open the switch, disposal, or wiring yourself if you've felt a shock; this points to a real electrical fault.
5. Leave the breaker off until an electrician has inspected the circuit, switch, and disposal grounding.
6. Mention specifically that you felt a shock so the electrician tests for ground faults, not just a simple outage.

Tools and parts

• None; this is a stop-and-call situation

When to call a pro

Call a licensed electrician immediately to test the circuit, wiring, and disposal for a ground fault before it's used again.

Safety