Waste Disposals

Methods of installation vary according to the waste disposal unit one buys; detailed instructions are included with each model. It is, however, worth bearing in mind several general points. When fitting the unit plan the plumbing carefully; never fit pipes where they will hinder access to the unit or any of its controls and avoid tight bends, kinks, tee junctions wherever possible. The waste pipe should not be shared with any other appliance and the waste outlet should be below the gully grating. Bottle traps should never be used with this unit. Make sure the bore of the trap and the waste pipe are readily accessible and check the fall on the waste pipe is at least eight degrees to the horizontal. Most models have a half a horse power motor.

This electric motor, with no carbon brushes or commutator, has a solid rotor; it is characteristically robust and, being a brushless machine, needs no periodic attention and is unlikely to fail in service. The motor should last at least twenty years. Some waste disposal units have motors of lower power, but these are adequate for the duties they are to perform. Some have both forward and reverse facilities; reverse is normally used to release a jammed disposal unit, although one type operates alternately in forward and reverse-to prolong the life of the disposer’s cutting blades; it is claimed.

A self-serving actuator is available with one model; this can be surface-mounted or flush-fitted to the wall or other suitable surface near the disposal unit itself. The actuator is pneumatically operated and has no electrical connections; the sheath containing the fibre-optic light-guide and pneumatic tube will have to be recessed in a channel if the actuator is flush-fitted to the wall. The electrical supply to a disposal unit can be taken from a thirteen amp outlet-either through a fused plug and socket or a switchedfused connection unit. The fused connection unit is preferable, since it makes a permanent connection for the disposal unit and avoids flex and a plug lying loose under the sink when the socket is used for another appliance.

Whether one connects the disposal unit through a switched fused connection unit or a socket outlet, the circuit can be a spur branching out from the ring circuit. The connection to the ring circuit can be made at one of the existing socket outlets in the kitchen. To save cable and work, choose the socket outlet nearest to the waste disposal unit provided it offers an easy run for the new cable. The most likely trouble to be experienced with the waste disposal unit is when waste jams up in it. With a reversible action, model one simply flicks the reversing switch and restart the motor. Since the jamming stalls the motor; however, this will run hot and operate a thermal cut-out. Wait a non-reversible action disposal unit a key is used for releasing the jammed unit. Switch off the connection unit or pull the plug out of the socket; by the time the release has been accomplished, the motor will have cooled and the cut-out reset. Switch on and restart the machine.

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