I have an InSinkerator Badger 5. Every time I turn it on, it trips the GFI. It runs for a second or less before tripping, and it spins so it doesn't seem jammed. Other things work fine on the same outlet.

That is strange did you hard wire d/w or simply plug it in.did you trip the gfi.need more to go on.There is a reset on the bottom of disposal a red button push it it should click might need reset.

Sounds like the motor windings are toast. The breaker is supposed to trip before the motor overheats too much, but this is an approximate thing in practice. The varnish insulation on the windings gets soft when it overheats, and if it happens repeatedly (by resetting the breaker multiple times in a short time period) the insulation eventually breaks down and the coil shorts out between windings. This makes a coil that is supposed to be, say 100 turns, act like it has say 5 turns, which makes the overall resistance of that coil a whole lot less than it's supposed to be, which increases the current level it takes to maintain the voltage potential (120V) across that coil. The high current load trips the breaker. Sorry for the long explanation. I got a little carried away. Time for a new disposal Good luck, Al K

There are three possible things.
1) Circuit breaker tripped
2) Wall switch gone bad
3) Reset button tripped on disposal
Reset is located near where wire connects to disposal

Hi,

Check the reset button..

Here is a tip that I wrote that will help you to figure out what is going on with your garbage disposal and why it is not working.

Garbage Disposal Clogged or Jammed

heatman101

Hi,

Here is a tip that I wrote that will help you to figure out what is going on with your garbage disposal and why it is not working.

Garbage Disposal Clogged or Jammed

heatman101

i

If the blades move freely with the wrench and stick and motor hums then it sounds like it is time to replace the unit. Have you tried the reset switch? If it is humming than it is probably not tripped but worth a try. Hope this helps.

Your disposal unit may be on a GFI protected circuit which has tripped. If you don't have a GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter) in your kitchen, check your main breaker box since they are often installed there.

there may be some debris in the unit try running water and alot of ice through the unit while running this may help clean it and quiet it

Make sure that the fuse/breaker is not blown/tripped You could take a voltmeter and check for voltage at the unit. Hope this helps

Yes, on bottom a little recessed button should be pushed to reset the device. If the blade is stuck, the reset might not work but just keep tripping the breaker so you have to free up the blades with a broom stick or other item stuck into the disposal (with the power off of course) to turn the blades manually. Then try the reset button again. and hit the switch. Otherwise, check your kitchen's electrical breaker to see if it has tripped as well.