RCD tripped by Washer Dryer help please!

[Mattypompy99]

Hi guys,

If I may pick anyone’s technical brain!

I have a Zanussi ZWD 1252 W washer dryer. A bit aged.

I went to do some washing last night and after about 3 mins it tripped the RCD mains fuse. Took me a bit to work that out but now every time I turn it on after a couple of seconds it trips the fuse again.

I have inspected the wiring and plug, changed plug fuse and used another power socket and it just recurs. :con:

Can anyone postulate on what’s going on with any remedial suggestions please?

Thank you in advance.

M

[electrofix]

Re: RCD tripped by Washer Dryer help please!

with most trips the first 2 components to check are the heater and the motor in that order
if you can get at the heater connections and disconnect the wires, tape up the wires so they cant short out, then turn on and see if tripping stops

don’t forget to unplug machine

Dave

[Mattypompy99]

Re: RCD tripped by Washer Dryer help please!

electrofix wrote:with most trips the first 2 components to check are the heater and the motor in that order
if you can get at the heater connections and disconnect the wires, tape up the wires so they cant short out, then turn on and see if tripping stops

don’t forget to unplug machine

Dave
Cheers Dave for the information. I’ll do an inspection later. I did see some black powder on the floor and thought it may be from the motor.

Cheers again :tup:

[electrofix]

Re: RCD tripped by Washer Dryer help please!

Black powder may just be belt dust

Dave

[Mattypompy99]

Re: RCD tripped by Washer Dryer help please!

electrofix wrote:Black powder may just be belt dust

Dave
OK bud, thanks. I thought it may be carbon from the brushes. Cheers

[Mattypompy99]

Re: RCD tripped by Washer Dryer help please!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/71043822@ … res/16LyNu

<a href=".https://www.flickr.com/photos/71043822@ … res/16LyNu” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow”>.https://www.flickr.com/photos/71043822@ … res/16LyNu

So the above is a pic from above. I’ll try and disconnect the heating component and maybe some other earth testing and go from there.

I guess the metal shroud at the top is the heating element for the drying program. It stopped when it had filled with some water. :tup:

[electrofix]

Re: RCD tripped by Washer Dryer help please!

there is also the wash heater as well

Dave

[Mattypompy99]

Re: RCD tripped by Washer Dryer help please!

electrofix wrote:there is also the wash heater as well

Dave

Any idea his to locate the wash heater element?! 😯

I found it after taking the back panel off. Read 30ohm across the terminals. There was quite a lot of water in the shell due to the drain pipe from the filter coming loose. I’ve reconnected it and will let it dry. I cannot see any obvious scorching.

Thanks for the help Dave.

[Mattypompy99]

Re: RCD tripped by Washer Dryer help please!

I removed the heating element and it was disgusting with detritus and limescale. :bang:

Can I clean with a solution of caustic soda, like for cleaning plug holes, do you think?

https://flic.kr/p/FKKJZt

[electrofix]

Re: RCD tripped by Washer Dryer help please!

its not what’s on the heater its whether its got an earth fault

did you try to run the machine with the heater wires disconnected ?

dave

[Mattypompy99]

Re: RCD tripped by Washer Dryer help please!

electrofix wrote:its not what’s on the heater its whether its got an earth fault

did you try to run the machine with the heater wires disconnected ?

dave

I didn’t run the machine as it was quite wet and damp at the bottom as a draining tube came loose so I’m letting it dry out for a few hours.

I know it’s not about the deposits on the element but I thought I’d have a look it needs cleaning anyway and will increase efficiency. Was just wondering what’s best to clean it.

I’ll put it back together later and test it. I have done multimeter tests and it runs about 30 ohm.

How does one test the mains filter? I ran a resistance test on the 4 pins and alternating pairs, 1+3 & 2+4, throw out about 2ohms. Is that normal do you know?

Thanks a lot for reading Dave :tup:

[electrofix]

Re: RCD tripped by Washer Dryer help please!

mains filter is normal as power goes in and out

but

I need to impress on you again its an earth fault you are looking for and that the resistance between the heater metal casing and one of the terminals. and you are looking for millions of ohms

A heater element can have a normal resistance reading between the terminals but only if it has an earth fault will it will blow your trip

Dave

[Mattypompy99]

Re: RCD tripped by Washer Dryer help please!

Reading is 1ohm on the element. I didn’t earth correctly. Hopefully I’ve found the culprit. Will turn mains on later. Thanks again.

Matt

[Mattypompy99]

Re: RCD tripped by Washer Dryer help please!

Put it all back together with the element disconnected and it worked! No tripping of the RCD.

I’ll order an element.

Thanks for the friendly advice Dave. Good man :tup:

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