Washing machine tripping RCDs

[Incorrigible]

Is it worth me taking the fg thing apart to try an fix it ?

If so what would be the most likely thing to be Donald. I'm guessing motor or pump, but how do I test them

Could really do without buying a new one

[Smiler.]

Is there an RCD on the main isolator to the consumer unit?

Do you have a "split" consumer unit (with some ways protected by an RCD)?

Is the RCD that is tripping on a single circuit, the one protecting the circuit from which the appliance is fed?

[Incorrigible]

Smiler. said:

Is there an RCD on the main isolator to the consumer unit?

Do you have a "split" consumer unit (with some ways protected by an RCD)?

Is the RCD that is tripping on a single circuit, the one protecting the circuit from which the appliance is fed?

I have a spit consumer unit, the kitchen sockets are RCD protected. I've tried other appliances in the same socket and the washing machine in the other sockets

It's definitely the washing machine causing this

[Smiler.]

How happy are you to open up the plug top?

Check the connections, screws tights, cable terminations sound, no discolouration or evidence of arcing. Check the point where the flex enters the housing at the appliance end for wear.

Other than that, it's probably a repairman job.

[Solitude]

If the machine is older than 5-7 years, and the plug top is ok....bin the m/c!!!
A repairman is probably a £60-80 call out....orders parts £30-100, returns to fit em £50-100.
Wasste of money and your left with a repaired machine thats odds on to break down again.
New machine with a decent warranty £400+
No-brainer

[Incorrigible]

Smiler. said:

How happy are you to open up the plug top?

Plug top ? do you mean top of the plug, the one that goes into the socket in the wall ?

Or am I missing an important bit of DIY terminology

I'm thinking it's probably the machine getting a bit stroppy under load so was thinking of checking the motor and stripping the bushes out of it in the first instance.

[N Dentressangle]

Incorrigible said:

Plug top ? do you mean top of the plug, the one that goes into the socket in the wall ?

He does.

Make sure all the connections in the plug and in the socket on the wall are sound, with no arcing, loose connections or corrosion - our electric oven was tripping the RCD a few weeks ago, and a new double socket (£2.50) plus careful re-wire solved things. Try plugging s'thing else into the socket to test, perhaps?

As one of the others has said, cheaper to junk the machine if this doesn't work. You will get a decent s/h one from your local free ads or Ebay for 50 quid tops these days. Once they're 'the wrong colour for the kitchen' some people just junk them...

[FamilyGuy]

In my limited experience the two things that seem to cause RCD trips are brushes (I don't see how they can, maybe some inductive effect, but countless reports say they do and I've had a case myself) and heaters starting to leak.

Good luck because personally I find washing machines just about the most cramped and unpleasant things to work on. If you tip them onto their front to get into the base then the concrete-clad drums start popping out of their mounts. I'd really consider doing a p/x with your local second-hand washing machine dealer

[Incorrigible]

Thanks guys,

Norbert, tried that see post 3.

Mr Griffin, tell me about it. I won't go into the sordid details but suffice to say; I have to disconnect the cooker before I can even get to the fg washing machine

peace

[Smiler.]

Worn brushes - good call Norbert.

[Incorrigible]

Well new bushes £17.50 half an hour later and sorted

Thanks for the advise to bin the washing machine though

[N Dentressangle]

Incorrigible said:

Well new bushes £17.50 half an hour later and sorted

Thanks for the advise to bin the washing machine though

Smug git, Ben

I'll know who to call with my next household appliance lost cause, won't I?