RCCB tripping when plugging in a tumble dryer

Bazzeer

The dryer has worked perfectly for about 3 years but yesterday it blew a 13 amp fuse, the fuse was replaced but now it keeps tripping the RCCB. If I plug it into a 13 amp switchable socket with the power switched off it still trips the RCCB. If I disconnect the earth wire in the plug of the tumble dryer and plug in again the dryer works perfectly and completes a whole drying cycle. Any idea what the problem could be?

Heedtheadvice

Typical of a leakage fault from neutral to Earth. It needs to get fixed.

Neil_Jones

Either get somebody in to fix the dryer or replace the dryer.  Please don't run it without a working earth, its there for a reason.

Were_Doomed

Bazzeer said:

If I disconnect the earth wire in the plug of the tumble dryer and plug in again the dryer works perfectly and completes a whole drying cycle.

👀👀👀👀
Do not ... I repeat, do NOT run the machine like this. Whilst the above post from @Heedtheadvice may be correct and that it is a neutral to earth fault, it could easily become a situation where the casing of the TD becomes live - this could kill you!

flashg67

Mine did this when the heating element had failed and was shorting out. Usually a fairly easy fix to replace the element

Heedtheadvice

Yes thanks for the subsequent posts. Indeed it is not safe to use.......especially if the Earth is disconnected. You should not do that as there is a distinct risk of shock.

David28

My tumble dryer did this, tripping the RCCB and it was a large capacitor that had failed.

[Deleted User]

Bazzeer said:

The dryer keeps tripping the RCCB. If I disconnect the earth wire in the plug of the tumble dryer and plug in again the dryer works

You like living dangerously, don't you. 

Bazzeer

Thanks you all for your comments, I can assure you it's safe as there's no way I would touch the dryer if it's plugged in with no earth connected.
Surely, I wouldn't be able to run it through a complete cycle if there was a fault with the heating element or capacitor 

Neil_Jones

Bazzeer said:

Thanks you all for your comments, I can assure you it's safe as there's no way I would touch the dryer if it's plugged in with no earth connected.
Surely, I wouldn't be able to run it through a complete cycle if there was a fault with the heating element or capacitor 

That's not the point.

If the fuse blows or the circuit breaker trips, that's an indication the dryer has a fault.  Circuit breakers don't trip for fun and fuses don't blow to be awkward.  They blow and they trip for safety reasons.

Something is wrong with that dryer.  For your own safety, I have to reiterate:  Fix it or throw it.  Please don't use it without an earth.  If that thing was to catch fire or somebody else (a visitor, say) electrocuted themselves on that dryer because you disconnected the earth you would be responsible.

Black Friday's coming up, there are online deals for new dryers that won't trip the circuit breaker.  Please take advantage.

stragglebod

Bazzeer said:

Thanks you all for your comments, I can assure you it's safe as there's no way I would touch the dryer if it's plugged in with no earth connected.
Surely, I wouldn't be able to run it through a complete cycle if there was a fault with the heating element or capacitor 

And when you absent mindedly go on autopilot and open the door when it beeps, because that's what you always do when you hear the beep?

Or if you trip on the stairs and knock yourself out, and the paramedic goes into the kitchen to get some water not knowing that brushing past the tumble drier might kill her?

Or any number of rare-but-happens-from-time-to-time events that in almost every other household in the UK will present no danger whatsoever, but will turn your house into a death trap?

Running a fully working tumble dryer without an earth is in itself stupid. Running a tumble dryer that you know has an electical fault without an earth? !!!!!!.