- This topic has 23 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 21 years, 11 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
I have a four year old Blomberg 1301 washer that has started to occasionally blow the main fuse during the wash segment of the cycle. I have checked out the wiring, heater and the motor and all seems to be ok – eg. the heater shows no sign of element failure with 0.5 M ohms to ground and 25 ohms across the element. The motor brushes are only about a third worn and again there is high resistance to ground and about 2.9 ohms across the brush windings. Once the fuse has blown a replacement will blow immediately, however ther is no sign of a short. If I rotate the drum by hand (and in turn the motor) the fault then disappears for a few wash cycles and then returns. I have removed the motor and cleaned away the carbon dust and it has now run ok for a few more wash cycles, however I expect it will probably fail again soon. Does anyone have any ideas?
Re: Blomberg 1301 Washer intermittently blows main fuse
Bob Knights wrote: Does anyone have any ideas?
If the brushes are clean and their surface shiney, and the commutator segments clean and uniform looking, then the motor should be OK? A 500volt megger test preferable to check its insulation though.
It could be??? the Mains Filter/Suppressor???? I guess you realise the fault when it is drawing most power, so its worth a look at?
Martin
Re: Blomberg 1301 Washer intermittently blows main fuse
Try running the machine through a cycle with the motor plug disconnected, although the intermittency will be the main problem here I think.
Also check for chaffed leads in the loom as one could have the insulation rubbed away and only touching “earth” occassionaly.
Dave.
Thanks for your suggestions. I have examined the wiring and can find no evidence of chaffing. The mains filter appears to be ok based in resistance measurements. I don’t have a megger so I can’t be sure about adequate insulation. Since cleaning the Selni motor it has now run for three washes without failure. I am beginning to suspect that the problem is/was associated with carbon build up. The machine is used daily but when I examined the commutator it was dull in appearance although the segments were smooth. I blew out the carbon with an airline and cleaned the commutator. I will let you know how things develop.
You have done the obvious and checked the filter? If the rush of water from the clothes as the motor ramps into spin can’t get away easily, it drags the drum speed down, which can cause the motor to struggle and overload.
Just a thought,
Regards,
Penguin45.Re: Blomberg 1301 Washer intermittently blows main fuse
Bob,
Just a point for you to clarify for me if you would be so kind?
You spoke originally of your machine “blowing the main fuse?” That indicates to me as being associated with a polarity short, but what I suspect you really meant in this case is that it ” blew the trip switch?” indicating an earthing fault??????
Just curious!
Martin
The machine ran for another six complete wash cycles since my last message and then blew the 13 Amp fuse in the mains plug again. The fuse was replaced and there was no sign of any short circuit (pole to pole or to ground). The machine was restarted and completed the entire wash cycle without further problem. It has now completed another two wash cycles without failure. I have checked the water filter and it is clear. The fuse seems to blow during the wash agitation portion of the programme when the heater is on (although the heater works ok and the fuse blows some time after the heater has energised) – it never fails during the rinse/pump/spin cycle. When the fuse blows it fails with a thump (not a bang) which may indicate that the fault is a continuous partial overload causing the fuse to age prematurely as opposed to a dead short condition. My house is not fitted with an ELCB but I could try a plug in unit at the outlet just to eliminate earth faults.
Re: Blomberg 1301 Washer intermittently blows main fuse
Guest wrote
When the fuse blows it fails with a thump (not a bang)
Sounds like intermittent failure of mains in-line filter suppressor, on most machines it can be disconnected and bypassed easily so machine can be run for test purposes.
If found to cure fault the suppressor must be replaced or you could be getting a knock on the door from the ‘men from the ministry’ 😥
Nice idea Sparkey; surely this has to be a heater fault – it needs to be meggered while immersed for earth leakage, probably needs replacement, and the water level control chamber flushing out., They’re so and so’s for choking up.
Regards,
Penguin.Penguin45 wrote: surely this has to be a heater fault
I would have said so, yes.
Heater part number 55X5662 Priced at £43.29 inc VAT and post.
If you want one, send me an email and I can order for you.
Dave.
Thanks again for the suggestions. My first theory was the heater element but I have never known them to fail intermittently. I would have expected that once the casing had failed the ingress of water would have resulted in a permanent short to ground when power was applied. The machine has run faultlessly (6 washes) since the last fuse change. It seems as though I need to perform some megger tests in order to confirm your theories before committing to ordering any spares. I will let you know as soon as I have gained acces to a megger and a confirmed faulty component.
Re: Blomberg 1301 Washer intermittently blows main fuse
Just in case you did not see my post which has been lost in site ‘down time’ 😥 . I can confirm that the mains suppressor filter is in the main line between the plug top and machines on/off switch, so if the machine is turned off and the supply trips out when the plug is pushed into the wall socket then the suppressor is the most likely fault.
Anonymous wrote:Thanks again for the suggestions. My first theory was the heater element but I have never known them to fail intermittently. I would have expected that once the casing had failed the ingress of water would have resulted in a permanent short to ground when power was applied. The machine has run faultlessly (6 washes) since the last fuse change. It seems as though I need to perform some megger tests in order to confirm your theories before committing to ordering any spares. I will let you know as soon as I have gained acces to a megger and a confirmed faulty component.
Is there any sign of discolouration around the live socket on the faceplate,
or is the plug hot to the touch when the appliance is in the heat phase ?.If there is a poor contact with the live pin when inserted in the wall socket,
it causes heating of the live pin which conducts to the fuse and lowers its rating. Once the fuse gets to a critical temperature it fails !There does not have to be a fault on the appliance !
wcda.
Re: Blomberg 1301 Washer intermittently blows main fuse
hi when i was on comet a few years ago maidstone(yes i know ,tell me about it lol)we use to find a lot of tripping due to the interlock getting wet due to water dripping or leaking from the soap drawer just take it out and you will see water marks on the terminals,i would replace interlock plus a nice tesco sandwich bag wrapped over it(wrapped as in around and not singing)and that would do the the job….sorted…and if i remember i think you can reverse the door….but i think you’ll find its the interlock….have a good one paul…..
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.