What would cause this fuse burn out

[skilly1]

The fuse attached to my washing machine burnt out. Any ideas why? Looks like there is a coating on the fuse but looking at the plug socket I can't see any sign of liquid or other stuff there?

Would you bin the washing machine (about 4 years old) in case of a repeat and fire?

[Jonesy23]

Any pictures of where it came from?

That carbon wouldn't have come from the fuse as there's nothing for it to come from. Might have been contaminated by a spillage or it could be the live cable has a poor connection and has cooked; the insulation produces a lot of sticky black as it cooks.

I would expect it's probably just local overheating from a poor connection as a proper overload tends to cook a longer piece of the cable.

The equipment is probably OK and it is just the plug/connection point that needs attention. And soon.

[hairyben]

Probably just a bad connection, possibly at the pin of the plug or socket recepticle (the heat travels down the brass pin to the fuse)

Not uncommon with high load appliances, probably contamination on pin or cheap shonky plug or socket

[Fort Jefferson]

It's been arcing because the clip holding it isn't tight enough. Just change the plug for a good one. MK or the likes.

[skilly1]

Thanks for the advice. I would agree it look like the problem has been happening inside the plug rather than external factors.

I will swap the plug out.

[2lefthands]

Swap the plug as suggested, but for peace of mind, get a spark in to check. Might sound belt and braces, but it's a small price to pay to avoid a larger one.