Washing Machine Help Forum

Hi,

Some time back I posted about changing the seal on my WD41 as I believed a leak was causing some sort of fault, thus causing the RCD to trip. However, after repleacing the seal, the WD41 started to trip the RCD intermittently again. My wife seemed to think that it tripped only when it was doing a boil wash, however any time I observed it tripping I noticed that it always seemed to be at the beginning of a spin (before the drum balanced itself). Either way, resetting the RCD was sufficient to get the WD41 up and running again.

The WD41 shares the cooker circuit on a 32A RCD and I remember someone telling me that cookers can be "naturally leaky" which possibly wasn't helping the problem. This weekend I once again observed the WD41 trip the RCD however this time resetting the RCD didn't do the trick. I tried putting the WD41 on the kitchen ring main (with the other sockets etc.) but it immediately tripped that RCD!

So, I opened up the lid and thought I'd found the culprit. Two wires run over the drum to what looks like a fan in the (top) back-left corner. These had snapped at the connector and on was slightly damaged about 10cm away from the connector. (Funny thing was that I hard a hard job making the snapped wires to the connector - it would have been a tight fit over the drum at best). Tonight, I patched up the connector and, feeling proud of the fact that I'd saved this thing from the scrapheap once more, plugged it in to its usual socket - TRIP! Couldn't get it to take any power at all and couldn't see anything else obviously wrong. Just before writing this I ran an extension lead from the lounge which is protected by a 32A MCB (NOT RCD). Plugged it in - it's alive!

So, my questions:
1. What is the "fan" at the (top) back-left for...? Cooling...?
2. Does anyone have any idea what else might cause the RCD to trip instantly...?

Many thanks,
Andy.

The fan is the cooling fan for the dryer blower motor, so will only be activated for the drying cycle. My prime suspect would be the drive motor itself - if the motor is used with the brushes badly worn it can develop earth faults. Check the wiring around the motor and around the edge of the casing as well - chaffing is a well known problem.

Power off please,

Regards,
Penguin45.

Hi,

Thanks for the reply - I will check that...
It's a pretty old machine - 7 years so I guess it's due some wear and tear.

In the meantime, is it OK/safe for me to run it off a non-RCD circuit...?
(We've an 8 month old baby and not having a washing machine is not an option )

Many thanks,
Andy.

Mmm - the implication is earth leakage. No "tickles" from the casing? Really, get it sorted ASAP. That said, we survived for years on fuses using wire before the RCD and MCD came along.

I take it the sprog is not yet fully mobile - that will give you a bit of time at least.

If you're struggling, check Directories or repairs@ for a UKW engineer in your area.

Cheers,
Chris.

Thanks Chris,

Nope, no tickles of the casing - but perhaps I'm immune to it by now

Just had a look at the one of the brushes - seems OK if a bit "dirty" although I'm not entirely sure what I should be looking for...!?! Will check the tricky-to-get-at one tomorrow.

The fan is the cooling fan for the dryer blower motor, so will only be activated for the drying cycle.

This actually ties in perfectly with my previous post a few months ago:

Also, (several months ago) the same machine has refused to produce any heat whilst drying - this isn't so much a problem now as we use a separate dryer but is still niggling me. Anyone tell me what's the first thing I should check...?

To which Clive gave this response:

As to not heating on the dryer, the machine has overheat protectors on the hot air duct, these need to be checked first and if any are open circuit then the cause needs to be ascertained.

Can you tell me where I can find these "overheat protectors" so I can check/replace them (i.e. where is the hot air duct...?).

Thanks for all your help!
Andy.

OK.....

Please don't take this the wrong way - you're not filling me with confidence here............ The fan motor is blowing air down the heater duct (the box on top of the drum), and the safety cut-out sits on top. It's part number 1600870 - if required. To be honest you need to be able to use a multimeter correctly and safely to check the circuits. If the motor is leaking to earth an insulation tester is the neccessary tool.

As for the brushes, the "hard to get at one" will be shorter than the one you have extracted; anything less than say 5mm is finished.

I would suggest you need to stop and have a think - pro help may be your best option, as simply throwing parts at the machine can prove to be an expensive and fruitless exercise.

Regards,
Penguin45.

Hi Chris,

Apologies for appearing stupid but I just wanted to be completely sure!
I work with computers a lot so I tend not to assume anything...!?!
I have no problems with using a multimeter...

OK, there are 2 cut-outs/sensors on top of the heater duct - a round one (front) and a rectangular one (back) for want of a better description. The resistances of these are ~55 ohms and 0.1 ohms respectively.
Anyway, I'll see about getting the first problem fixed first and then maybe return to this!

As for the brushes, the "hard to get at one" will be shorter than the one you have extracted; anything less than say 5mm is finished.

The top brush had about 15mm remaining - will check the other tomorrow.

Many thanks,
Andy.

Hi,

Just to update you on my progress (or lack of it) so far...

I tried removing the motor connector- still trips the RCD...
Tried removing the connector to the (drying) fan motor - still trips...
On the plus side, the fix I did to the fan motor connector has resulted in the WD41 generating heat whilst drying, which it ha stopped doing some time back.

My dad (electrician) is visiting tomorrow and has promised to bring an insulation tester. Any pointers as to what we should look for/at next would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks,
Andy.

Hi all,

Just another update and a request for a part number...

My dad took a look at the WD41 today and concluded that because the RCD tripping even with the power switch off and the fact that the switch is a double-pole, that the fault must lie between the incoming mains and the switch. And the only part in between the two is a filter unit. We took a couple resistance readings of the filter unit and observed the following:

L-E = ~264 ohms
N-E = ~ 0.3 ohns

So, my dad has suggested that I source a replacement filter unit.
The details on the filter unit are:

Filter unit KPL3008
250V 50/60Hz 12.5A cont. 14A int.
40/100/56 GMC 100°C BS613
Made in Slovenia

Can any body help regarding Hotpoint part number...?

Many thanks,
Andy.

just a quick 1 check wiring harnes to motor /heater were it is tied 2 cabinet heading towards heater box/ motor they chaff and start with intermittent tripping as for suppressor u neeed 2 disconnect supply 2 m/c otherwise u will read a fault there even though problem lyes downstream

Mains filter is p/no 1602467 - eMail to spares@ukwhitegoods.com will get things moving for you.

Any reading to earth of 2Meg or less should trip the RCD, so allowing for Ray's comments you are on the right track.

Regards,
Penguin45.

Mains filter is p/no 1602467 - eMail to spares@ukwhitegoods.com will get things moving for you.

Thank you...
Have done so, and the p/no seems to be 1602487...?

Should have my mid-week...!

Many thanks,
Andy.

8 is correct - it was late and I was tired......

Good luck,
Penguin45.