Household electrical query.

Goochie · 16-08-2006, 09:33

Recently we bought a washing machine. It has worked faultlessly for 2 weeks.

Yesterday SWMBO plugged it in, turned it on at the socket and it tripped the 30mA breaker thingmy in the fuse box.

We have since tried other things in the same socket and they work fine. Due to the W/M being where it is, the only way to test it in other sockets is to use an extension lead - when we do this it is fine, even in the socket it was in to start with.

After all the messing around, we then tried it once mor ein the original socket and it worked

This morning I tried it again and it tripped.

Faulty washing machine? Worth changing the sealed plug?

Mr Grumpy · 16-08-2006, 10:21

Faulty washing machine Goochie!
I have an electrician in the house as I type, he says don't use it, it could be dangerous, take it back. HTH

Goochie · 16-08-2006, 10:21

Thanks.

Kentish · 16-08-2006, 11:00

Do you want me to tell you it sounds like the heater, mains suppressor, motor or leak onto electrics causing it to trip?
Do not remove the moulded plug, unless you can see it's burnt..they very rarely cause problems.

The make would help with further ideas.

heresmo · 16-08-2006, 11:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Grumpy

Faulty washing machine Goochie!
I have an electrician in the house as I type, he says don't use it, it could be dangerous, take it back. HTH

Agree. Best keep it unplugged from the socket also in the meanwhile of course. Plus if you mess about with it, you might invalidate the guarantee.

Best
Mo

Goochie · 16-08-2006, 11:06

When I say "recently bought" - its only been used 4-6 times. I was just wanting to check that others suspected the machine and not the household wiring.

I shall call Zanussi later.

thegavsters · 16-08-2006, 11:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goochie

When I say "recently bought" - its only been used 4-6 times. I was just wanting to check that others suspected the machine and not the household wiring.

I shall call Zanussi later.

I reckon its the washing machine. We had an iron that used to trip out the supply. bought a new iron and no trip outs since.

EddyH · 16-08-2006, 11:26

Anything else plugged in at the same time on the occasions when the RCD has tripped? However I wouldn't expect a washing machine to have a high earth leakage current, it's usually IT equipment such as cheap PC power supplies that cause problems. As suggested it is most likely a fault with the washer, however it's best to eliminate other possibilities first as if it turns out the washer is fine you will most likely be charged for the call out.

Goochie · 16-08-2006, 11:54

The strangest thing is that the W/M works when connected to the same socket via a 20A extension lead.

However, I think the resistance of the extension when coiled may be enough to prevent the trip.

Mr Grumpy · 16-08-2006, 11:56

I still wouldn't use it, just to be on the safe side.
If it packs in when full I imagine an awful mess could ensue!

Goochie · 16-08-2006, 12:03

I'll send SWMBO down to the canal with a wash board then.

Mr Grumpy · 16-08-2006, 12:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goochie

I'll send SWMBO down to the canal with a wash board then.

That's the way...
Treat 'em mean, keep 'em keen..

cheezemonkhai · 16-08-2006, 14:44

Defo the machine, Our old one did this and then we junked the thing and replaced it and never had a problem again.

heresmo · 16-08-2006, 17:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Grumpy

I still wouldn't use it, just to be on the safe side.
If it packs in when full I imagine an awful mess could ensue!

One of mine decided to keep filling up (overflowing). I had heard about someone being electrocuted due to a bad connection, so switched the mains board off to be on the safe side. Several months later, it transpired that the water had caused rot in the joists where the water had seeped down around the edges of the room. Needed new joists and floor (not so good).

FWIW My Zanussi "appliance of science" dishwasher leaked in two places from the bottom (despite repairs) and my tumble dryer went bang

because something had apparently been placed too closely to something else. I don't buy Zanussi these days.

Regards
Mo

bengie · 16-08-2006, 18:02

don't worry it won't hurt you phil, seeing as you have an RCD you will also have MCB's so the chance of you getting a shock is very remote.

it might be the machine but it might also be a weak RCD. get an electrician local to you to test the RCD, we have this in council houses every now and then.

it could also be down to something very simple like a bad incoming earth connection, its a shame you live miles away now as i would have popped over and taken a look for you

Kentish · 16-08-2006, 18:48

Sorry, I didn't twig it was brand new..

Call the manufacturer is the answer for sure.

16-08-2006, 09:33	#1
Goochie Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Up a tree. Posts: 12,363 Members Car: Thanks: 7 Thanked 27 Times in 25 Posts	Household electrical query. Recently we bought a washing machine. It has worked faultlessly for 2 weeks. Yesterday SWMBO plugged it in, turned it on at the socket and it tripped the 30mA breaker thingmy in the fuse box. We have since tried other things in the same socket and they work fine. Due to the W/M being where it is, the only way to test it in other sockets is to use an extension lead - when we do this it is fine, even in the socket it was in to start with. After all the messing around, we then tried it once mor ein the original socket and it worked This morning I tried it again and it tripped. Faulty washing machine? Worth changing the sealed plug?

16-08-2006, 10:21	#2
Mr Grumpy I'm back... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: On bail... Posts: 4,673 Members Car: Office chair..... Thanks: 8 Thanked 159 Times in 95 Posts	Re: Household electrical query. Faulty washing machine Goochie! I have an electrician in the house as I type, he says don't use it, it could be dangerous, take it back. HTH __________________ S50 VRS Number Plate for sale..ffs someone must want it....

16-08-2006, 10:21	#3
Goochie Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Up a tree. Posts: 12,363 Members Car: Thanks: 7 Thanked 27 Times in 25 Posts	Re: Household electrical query. Thanks.

16-08-2006, 11:00	#4
Kentish Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5,244 Members Car: 4 wheels, 4 doors. Thanks: 0 Thanked 11 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Household electrical query. Do you want me to tell you it sounds like the heater, mains suppressor, motor or leak onto electrics causing it to trip? Do not remove the moulded plug, unless you can see it's burnt..they very rarely cause problems. The make would help with further ideas. __________________ Andy Owner of a sense of humour.

16-08-2006, 11:06	#6
Goochie Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Up a tree. Posts: 12,363 Members Car: Thanks: 7 Thanked 27 Times in 25 Posts	Re: Household electrical query. When I say "recently bought" - its only been used 4-6 times. I was just wanting to check that others suspected the machine and not the household wiring. I shall call Zanussi later.

16-08-2006, 11:26	#8
EddyH Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 4,908 Members Car: Audi S8 Thanks: 41 Thanked 27 Times in 27 Posts	Re: Household electrical query. Anything else plugged in at the same time on the occasions when the RCD has tripped? However I wouldn't expect a washing machine to have a high earth leakage current, it's usually IT equipment such as cheap PC power supplies that cause problems. As suggested it is most likely a fault with the washer, however it's best to eliminate other possibilities first as if it turns out the washer is fine you will most likely be charged for the call out. __________________ EddyH Audi A6 Avant 2.7 TDI Audi A3 2.0 TDI Sport

16-08-2006, 11:54	#9
Goochie Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Up a tree. Posts: 12,363 Members Car: Thanks: 7 Thanked 27 Times in 25 Posts	Re: Household electrical query. The strangest thing is that the W/M works when connected to the same socket via a 20A extension lead. However, I think the resistance of the extension when coiled may be enough to prevent the trip.

16-08-2006, 11:56	#10
Mr Grumpy I'm back... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: On bail... Posts: 4,673 Members Car: Office chair..... Thanks: 8 Thanked 159 Times in 95 Posts	Re: Household electrical query. I still wouldn't use it, just to be on the safe side. If it packs in when full I imagine an awful mess could ensue! __________________ S50 VRS Number Plate for sale..ffs someone must want it....

16-08-2006, 12:03	#11
Goochie Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Up a tree. Posts: 12,363 Members Car: Thanks: 7 Thanked 27 Times in 25 Posts	Re: Household electrical query. I'll send SWMBO down to the canal with a wash board then.

16-08-2006, 14:44	#13
cheezemonkhai Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 15,575 Members Car: Thanks: 111 Thanked 512 Times in 475 Posts	Re: Household electrical query. Defo the machine, Our old one did this and then we junked the thing and replaced it and never had a problem again. __________________ Cars make CO2 and trees absorb CO2. By driving your car you're feeding a tree and helping the environment.

16-08-2006, 18:02	#15
bengie splash!!!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: planet earth Posts: 15,251 Members Car: 4x4 turbo estate Thanks: 17 Thanked 144 Times in 125 Posts	Re: Household electrical query. don't worry it won't hurt you phil, seeing as you have an RCD you will also have MCB's so the chance of you getting a shock is very remote. it might be the machine but it might also be a weak RCD. get an electrician local to you to test the RCD, we have this in council houses every now and then. it could also be down to something very simple like a bad incoming earth connection, its a shame you live miles away now as i would have popped over and taken a look for you __________________ owner of a skoda octavia 4xvrs3

16-08-2006, 18:48	#16
Kentish Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5,244 Members Car: 4 wheels, 4 doors. Thanks: 0 Thanked 11 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Household electrical query. Sorry, I didn't twig it was brand new.. Call the manufacturer is the answer for sure. __________________ Andy Owner of a sense of humour.

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