switch does not work

[rex66]

The below switch is in my kitchen. Today when trying to use the garbage disposal it stopped working. Only the bottom right switch below actually controls the garbage disposal but none of the switches (which control lights in the kitchen) are currently working. None of the circuit breakers flipped. I did try to flip what appears to be the kitchen outlets but didnt change anything and i pressed the garbage disposal reset switch but to no avail. I took the cover off of the switch. Any ideas on cause or ways to fix the problem.

 

[Snoonyb]

Welcome.
By this do you mean that you shut off, and turned back on, what you believe is the breaker controlling power too those switches; " I did try to flip what appears to be the kitchen outlets"?

If you have a proximate/non-contact voltage sensor, you can detect the presence of voltage, and from there, proceed in identifying the correct action to take.

 

[rex66]

thanks for the response


i did confirm that i did flip the circuit breaker to these switches and it didnt help and now have it in the off position

 

[PJB12]

Is there a possibility that these switches are downstream from a ground fault device? Check all of them by pressing the Test and Reset buttons. You should hear them go "Snap!" when you press Test.

Ideally, you will also test the GFI protected receptacles that you just tested with a meter or by plugging in a lamp, radio or something. (To make sure they really did reset)

Also note that when some circuit breaker brands trip from over-current it is not very apparent. They look like they are still on but the handle feels loose. It's good to turn the controlling breaker all the way off, then back on. (The non-apparent trip models are that way on purpose for diagnosis. And overcurrent will cause the not apparent trip. A short to ground will cause a visible trip.)

Hope this helps,
Paul

 

[Snoonyb]

Turn that breaker back on before testing the GFCI'S.

If after you test and reset every GFCI in the house and the difficulty remains invest in these;

https://www.homedepot.com/s/circuit alert non contact voltage tester?NCNI-5

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Electri...00e_202411250707179959091705769_us-east4-gxgr j10r20r00f22040000000e > st:{multimeters}:st ml:{24}:ml ct:{multimeters}:ct nr:{multimeters}:nr nf:{n/a}:nf qu:{multimeters}:qu ie:{0}:ie qr:{multimeters}:qr

As often as not, in that bank of switches, the lights and the disposal may be separate circuits, so there may be 2 breakers controlling voltage therein.

The non-contact tester will alert you to the presence of voltage.

As for the multimeter, I'd select the analog to define the voltage, as well as the value.

 

[afjes_2016]

after you test and reset every GFCI in the house

It is very important that you follow what Snoonyb tells you to do here.
The very first step should be this.
Most of the time something like this happens it is usually a tripped GFCI upstream.
GFCI receptacles - look for and test every single one you can find in the house no matter where it is located, even on the other side of the house. I have found tripped GFCI receptacles in basements that controlled receptacles in kitchens, bathrooms and outdoors and even garages.
Don't skip any GFCIs assuming they are not close enough to the kitchen to make a difference.

Also, since you know for sure? which circuit breaker controls this circuit in the kitchen double check to make sure it is not tripped. Some when tripped are hard to tell. Make sure you push the handle to the "off" position firmly (with some force) and then back to the "on" position. You can also double check all breakers to be sure you have the proper breaker to see if another one tripped. You can wiggle gently each breaker's handle and notice there may be a bit more play in one more than the others. That could be a sign that the breaker has tripped.

 

[Tailgunner]

GFCI's do go bad , just replaced one in my garage that was 11 years old.

 

[Ron Van]

By now you probably figured this out…what happened?

 

[PJB12]

GFCI's do go bad , just replaced one in my garage that was 11 years old.

Thanks for posting that reminder, Tailgunner!

What's really bad is when they fail to trip at the specified unbalance, leaving you unprotected.
Square D's QO GFCI circuit breakers used to be notorious for this. They'd still trip on a full load fault, just not at the Ground Fault mA level.

When you buy a GFCI breaker or a GFI receptacle outlet or dead-front, there is often a separate sheet in the package advising monthly testing, sometimes with a chart to write your test dates.

I test mine kinda-sorta monthly and at least two per year go bad.
Paul

 

[tmiskimen]

It doesn't take much of a lightning hit to destroy the micro electronics in a GFCI. I've had several completely smoked by lightning. So yes, regularly hitting the test button is good.