How to Install an In-Sink Air Switch for a Garbage Disposal

Before starting any work, locate your home's main electrical panel (circuit breaker box). Identify the breaker that controls the outlet for your garbage disposal and switch it to the 'OFF' position. Go back to the kitchen and, from under the sink, physically unplug the garbage disposal's power cord from the wall outlet. For absolute safety, use a non-contact voltage tester to probe the outlet and confirm that there is no electrical current present.

Locate the spare hole on your sink deck or countertop. This is often covered with a simple metal or plastic cap, or it may house an unused sink sprayer or soap dispenser. If there is a cap, it can usually be pried off or unscrewed from below. If there is an accessory, you will need to disconnect it from underneath the sink first, which may require pliers or a basin wrench. Once the hole is clear, use a rag and a household cleaner to wipe down the surface area both above and below the sink to ensure a clean, dry surface for the new switch.

Unpack your air switch kit. Take the decorative push-button and unscrew the plastic mounting nut from its threaded body. Ensure the thin rubber or silicone gasket is positioned on the underside of the button's top flange. From above the sink, insert the button's body through the prepared hole. From underneath the sink, slide the friction washer (if included) onto the threaded body, followed by the plastic mounting nut. Hand-tighten the nut until it is snug. The button should be secure and not spin freely. Avoid using a wrench, as this can easily crack the plastic nut.

Choose a spot on the back or side wall of the under-sink cabinet to mount the power control module. It should be high enough to be safe from potential minor leaks but low enough so the disposal cord and the module's own power cord can reach it and the wall outlet without being strained. Hold the module in place and mark the screw holes with a pencil. Use a drill or screwdriver to drive the supplied screws, securing the module firmly to the cabinet wall.

Take the flexible plastic air tube included in the kit. Firmly push one end onto the small air nipple located on the bottom of the air switch button you installed in the sink. Route the tubing towards the power control module, being careful to avoid sharp corners, hot water pipes, or areas where it could be pinched or kinked. Push the other end of the tube firmly onto the corresponding air nipple on the power control module. If the tube is excessively long, you can trim it with a utility knife, but it's wise to leave some slack for future servicing.

With the power still confirmed to be off at the breaker, you can now complete the electrical connections. Take the power cord from the control module and plug it into the wall outlet under the sink. Then, take the power cord from the garbage disposal unit and plug it into the switched receptacle on the power control module itself. Make sure both plugs are pushed in firmly and are fully seated.

Clear all tools and materials from the sink cabinet. Return to the circuit breaker panel and switch the breaker for the garbage disposal back to the 'ON' position. Go to the sink and turn on a steady stream of cold water. Press the newly installed air switch button. You should hear a distinct 'click' from the power module as the garbage disposal turns on. Press the button again to turn it off. Test it a few times to ensure it operates reliably.