My garbage disposal's housing started leaking so I bought a new one. The old garbage disposal was hardwired and the new one is corded. I bought a GCFI receptacle and PVC box. Attached the romex coming out of the wall (white, black, ground) to the receptacle, plugged in the new disposal, nothing.

I used a circuit tester (two leads and a light) and confirmed that the romex coming out of the wall is hot, but only when the GC switch is on. The tester did not light when I used it on the attached receptacle.

Did I get a bum receptacle or am I missing something?

 

Did you connect the Romex to only the LINE terminals on the receptacle? Black to brass, white to silver, green to ground. You also usually need to do one "test" + "reset" cycle on a new GFCI receptacle the first time you connect power.

 

A GFI receptacle needs power to reset. If it doesn't have power.... the reset button wont stay in when pressed.

Did you try turning the switch on and then hitting the reset button ?

 

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, the other terminals were taped over with that yellow tape. The receptacle I have didnt seem to have "brass" or "silver," but I attached the white to the terminal closest to the ground connection per the advice of the electrical guy at Home Depot.

Not sure what the test + reset cycle is, maybe that's what I'm missing. What does this cycle involve?

 

No - is that the test + reset cycle ibpooks referenced? I'll try it, thanks.

 

The Romex should be hot at all times. The receptacle is only hot when the switch isn't tripped. Just reviewing the basics, the black wire is connected to the brass screw, the white to the silver/chrome screw & the copper to the green screw. One the panel box, is the copper wire connected to the neutral bar?

 

Re the Romex being hot at all times, that's what I thought as well - I was surprised that it depended on the switch. I'm pretty sure I hooked up the plug correctly, I redid it three times to make sure. By panel box, are you referring to the breaker box (mine's in the garage)? I havent checked that and I'm not really sure if I know how.

 

The test/reset cycle is using the "TEST" and "RESET" buttons on the GFCI receptacle while the switch is turned on. GFCI receptacles are shipped from the factory in the OFF/TRIPPED position, you have to "RESET" it after power is connected to turn it on.

 

Can you post a picture of your receptacle and how you have it wired right now?

 

OK - do you press the test and reset buttons simultaneously?

 

Press the test button first, and then the reset button should pop out. Then you press the reset button in.

 

I have to disagree with a couple of things here. I just installed a GFCI and the screws were all the same color. Now this was an older one if that matters, but there was markings on the back telling you where things should go.

And why would the Romex be hot all the time under the sink? If it was hard wired, the switch is what controlled the flow. Otherwise the GD would be running constantly, yes? I'm assuming Ron just used the same wiring and box, but added a GFCI to the end.

Turn the switch on, hit the test button, hit the reset button. If the reset stays in, you should have power. Thats why I like the GFCIs that have the little LED indicator when they are hot. They cost a tiny bit more, but make it easier to tell if they have power or are tripped.

 

No picture handy - I'll try the test/reset procedure with the switch on, and if that fails will try to post a pic. Thanks for your help everyone.

 

The receptacle is switched so the disposal only operates with the switch on.

 

You don't need a GFCI receptacle unless you are under the 2014 NEC; I'd use a regular 15A duplex receptacle. Under the sink isn't a good place to put a GFCI receptacle anyway.

 

I did the test + reset procedure with the switch on and now it works fine. Thanks everyone for your help.

Re whether to use a GFCI receptacle, I was going to use a standard receptacle but the guy at Home Depot who helped me is apparently a licensed electrician who moonlights at HD. He told me our local code required a GFCI for this application.