Bosch Classic Maxx tripping RCD earth leakage detector

[JustAskDave]

Hi all,

I have a BOSCH WAE18060AU01 front load washer thats been running fine for 14 years. A couple of days ago it started tripping the RCD in wash mode. A quick check over found the heater element with a (high) resistance to ground so a new one was ordered. Replaced and cleaned out all the pump hoses and pump while I had it apart and a ran test load ran through OK. Then the next morning a real load was run through and again it tripped the RCD after ten minutes running.

Checked the new heater and open circuit to ground and around 28 ohms through the element so all good. Checked all wiring and all seemed good though some of the wires were squashed pretty hard in cable ties, so removed an replaced a little looser. Still tripping on wash after 10 minutes – but not on rinse, spin or drain cycles.

Pulled the motor out and was full of carbon dust from the brushes, removed brushes and blasted the whole thing with air compressor and was greeted with clouds of black dust. Brushes are over 15mm long still so would have thought not too short yet. Reassembled and on a test load at 60°C (running a washing machine cleaner solution through it) it tripped out again after around 10 minutes. Only thing I can notice is the water is not even warm, so I am thinking there is still a short to earth somewhere in the heating circuit?? Any one with any more ideas?

Thanks heaps, Dave.

[JustAskDave]

Hmm… Just checked the new heating element whilst the drum is still full of water and with the element disconnected its showing 28 ohms through the element – perfect, but now 180k ohms one side to earth and 220k ohms the other side to earth (which makes no sense at all). It was showing no connection to earth before installation and after testing when it failed after new heater installed (though in hindsight that was with no water in the drum). I have now disconnected the element connectors and am continuing the wash cycle to see what happens with it disconnected. Once the load finishes I will pull it apart and get the new heater out so see if there is any physical damage.

[JustAskDave]

Well I solved the issue myself, but thought I would post for anyone else with similar issues. The drum bearing are shot causing the drum to touch the (new) heater and cut through it, causing the earth leakage when its full of water. So now I am up for another new heater plus drum bearings (around $250 total) and a half day to strip it all down and replace the bearings, assuming the bearing holders are still OK. For $629 I can buy a new one…. Wife said buy a new one.

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