heater element issue

This thread was marked as solved. Here's a summary of the problem and the fix, generated from the discussion below.

Replacement Hotpoint washing machine heater element supplied longer than original

The problem

The owner received a replacement heater element for a Hotpoint washing machine that was about 2cm longer than the original and asked whether it could be fitted, and later asked how to connect the brown and blue wires because the new element was not colour coded.

Likely cause

Most strongly supported diagnosis was that the replacement heater was probably the wrong part because it should normally match the original exactly. A longer element may not fit correctly in the retaining bracket, although one reply said it could still be usable if it physically fitted and had the same wattage.

What fixed it

Recommended action was to avoid assuming it was correct and return it for the proper matching heater if there was any doubt. Wiring advice given was that the brown and blue wires go to the two outer heater terminals and the earth connects to the centre terminal; the live and neutral orientation on the two heater terminals was stated not to matter.

Checks to try

• Compared the replacement heater length with the original and found it was about 2cm longer
• Confirmed the replacement heater had the same wattage as the old one
• Checked that the width looked similar to the old heater
• Advised to check whether it physically fitted in the holding bracket

Parts or tools mentioned

• Replacement heater element