Trash Compactor Will Not Stop. Your trash compactor is one of the most underappreciated appliances in your home.
Learn how to detect and fix some of the most common problems you might encounter with your household garbage disposal system.
Few things are more frustrating than having your trash compactor or other garbage disposal system go on the fritz.
By knowing how to handle some common garbage disposal problems, such as leaks, sags, and clogs when they appear, we feel confident knowing we could save our clients money by using these solutions ourselves.
Trash Compactor Will Not Stop
If your trash compactor won’t stop running, you may need to troubleshoot the upper limit switch.
This status indicator is activated by a metal tab on the ram and powers the motor by cutting it off when the ram reaches its most upmost point during its cycle.
The upper limit function of this switch is to let you know when the trash compactor has reached its highest capacity.
The following is a discussion of the problems of the trash compactor when it does not stop.
Issue With Directional Switch
When the compacting ram reaches the top of the compactor, the directional switch replaces a smaller ram that hovers in front until it can no longer move.
This prevents a room from being flooded with colors if improper dyes are used or if bad ink is applied to another color.
To determine if the directional switch is defective, use a multimeter to test it for continuity. If the directional switch has shorted contacts, replace it immediately to prevent flooding or other negative outcomes.
Problem With Start Switch
The Start switch is what starts the entire system. It sends power to the motor which in turn turns it on.
If the electrical contacts of your start switch are closed, then they will keep sending power to that motor even if you turn off your Start switch, leaving your system running instead of off.
In order to determine if a Start Switch needs replacement, you can use a multimeter do so by first switching off the system and then trying to measure whether or not there’s still electricity going through its wires.
If there is, it is an indication that your switch has been broken and needs replacing.
Error In Door Switch
Check the door switch. Open your garbage compactor and carefully examine the door switch to see if it is functioning properly.
If the door switch is faulty or broken, you will have to replace it with a new one. Once you’ve replaced the faulty door switch with a new functioning one, you should be able to start your garbage compactor again.
Cause Of Drive Motor
The trash compactor is started by a motor that is activated by the centrifugal switch.
The centrifugal switch opens when the compactor moves, pulling the ram to the bottom of the chamber and activating the system.
When testers think that something is not functioning correctly or when customers have issues with their trash compactor, we first test components that are suspected to be defective.
If none of these components are malfunctioning, then it’s likely that the drive motor needs to be replaced.
FAQs
How come my trash compactor keeps running?
A stuck foot pedal or failed momentary start switch will cause the trash compactor to run constantly.
If the trash compactor runs as soon as you close the drawer and won’t stop running, unplug the trash compactor and check that the foot pedal isn’t stuck in the start position. Repair or replace the foot pedal if it’s stuck in place.
What is the purpose of a trash compactor?
Generally speaking, trash compactors work by compressing a large “ram,” which is a metal piece that sits above the trash.
An operator or user will load up the machine with whatever applicable items are ready to be disposed of, and once it’s secured in place, they activate the ram, and compacting will begin.
Trash Compactor Will Not Stop
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