Washing machine trip the breaker.

sew333

When my washing machine (7 year old ) was running yesterday it trip the breaker ( that one ,first on the left , RCD i guess?!) and no power in home. We reset the trip and the same happened twice more (took me a ittle while to realise it was the washing machine!). The socket is OK, and I presume the fuse in the plug must still be OK as the machine worked for a a couple of seconds before the fuse went again.

That one :

i.postimg.cc/Kzhdfr1v/9i.jpg


It was not happening during all years never before,which is very weird only yesterday. But my mother put inside a lot of clothes yesterday.



Ah and circuit overload doesnt matter,because actually i have only tv and laptop,oven running,like always.





Today we run again washer,but this time she put less clothes than yesterday...+ she clean and dry some element ( not heater for sure ) . Dunno what.

And no breaker tripping and power is on still.


Now its fine,washer working without issues in home. And all other devices in home,like tv,oven,light,laptop working fine.

So leave that or change something in electricity home?


I ask because i want to plug my new pc parts.

But i had many pcs in home all years no issues,even last pc from 12.12.2017 to 10 december 2018 and no issues. So i ask now. If everything is fine now again, can i plug new pc?

EssexExile

The fault is probably with the washing machine motor, it likely needs new brushes. They are only a few pounds & fairly easy to fit, depending on the machine. Look on YouTube for videos, if you're not confident with that sort of thing then get a man in, it will take less than half an hour.

Of course it could be something else, it's hard to tell from here.

It won't hurt your PC.

sew333

I said it is all repaired,cleaned,not overloaded with washer. So it will not trip again,hopefully.

But somebody said that this "other breakers should trip first. "

What you think? So why RCD was tripped only?

shaun_from_Africa

EssexExile wrote: »

It won't hurt your PC.

I wouldn't be too sure about that.
As it's a new computer then it may well have a lot of updates to download and if it's in the middle of updating when the power drops off, it can totally screw up the operating system.
I know that this can normally be reinstalled with back up media or from a partition on the hard drive but this is something that not everyone is happy to try.

Brummie85

It depends on the type of fault that your appliance creates.

An MCB & RCD operate on different approaches to protection.

An MCB will operate if an excessive amount of current is pulled, for example if a load tries to pull 40 amps on a circuit that has a 32 amp MCB, the MCB will operate when its maximum load is exceeded. It's there to protect the installation really, more so then a person.

An RCD will operate if it detects an imbalance between the line conductors. In instances such as a short circuit or a fault to earth. But it won't operate it too much current is drawn. It's there to protect a person from prolonged exposure to an electric shock rather then protect the installation.

If you suspect the motor is the fault - it may well be worth just replacing the machine. They are probably the most expensive component coming in at £130+. When you think that you can get a new washer for £200 wish..

Risteard

Brummie85 wrote: »

An RCD will operate if it detects an imbalance between the line conductors.

Between LIVE conductors rather than line conductors. A single phase installation has two live conductors but only one line (phase) conductor.

sew333

Hello. Sorry i am not technician and want to know some basic things.

If i actually washer will not trip again RCD or when i stop using washer. Can i just plug my new pc parts in house?

RCD breaker is fine yes?

In past ,when we run oven a small bulb get damaged and the same situation. Power off. So propably the same breaker was tripped? ( RCD )

Heedtheadvice

The RCD breaker is just doing it's job. It is designed to trip when it detects a fault condition with current not just going from 'live' via the load (washing machine in this case) to the 'neutral' but to some other conducting item such as the protective earth or someones body! Hence it provides a good level of protection against electrical shock.


There can be many causes of that 'leakage' of electricity from major fault to smaller current leakage that could still be dangerous. It could result from intermittent causes and that would make the breaker trip but could be reset, as in your case. Things like dampness around wiring/circuitry (that might have now dried out) or loose wiring.


It would seem likely that the cause was your washing machine but it is not impossible that tbe fault lies elsewhere. If you are not using the machine and the breaker does not trip then it is a reasonable assumption the machine is the cause.


Why could be anyones guess. Loaded to such a level that a leak happens? A water spillage? Failling parts? Best get it tested for correct insulation and inspected for evidence of water leaks -just a small leak in the wrong place is enough to trip the breaker and protect people!

sew333

Hello. We run again 2 times washer and not crashed the breaker. So i guess its fine and i can use all devices in home + plug new pc?

Fire_Fox

Nodbody here knows what the problem is (or was), so we cannot assure you that anything is safe.

Given the washing machine is older it would be worth rereading the user manual, catching up on any basic maintenance (eg. clean filters/ service wash). Do not run the washing machine unless someone is at home.

sew333

so i can plug new pc:)????????no worries?