Washing Machine Trips Rcd After Being Frozen
Hello all,
Ive just had to thaw out my fagor ff136 washing machine- incoming water supply, link to drum, and waste pipes were all frozen.
Since then it keeps tripping the RCD, usually about 10 seconds after the cycle starts.
I have managed to get it to run a full cycle using the delicates/wool setting at 30 degrees but no other program will work.
I'm guessing an element fault (i will be testing the IR when I get hold of a tester this week), does anyone have any ideas that may help me sort this out?
Thanks in advance,
Paul
Solution Summary
AI-generated from this discussion
This thread was marked as solved. Here's a summary of the problem and the fix, generated from the discussion below.
Fagor FF136 trips the RCD after freezing; likely valve or moisture-related insulation fault
- The problem
- A Fagor FF136 washing machine began tripping the RCD about 10 seconds after a cycle starts after the incoming water supply, drum link hose and waste pipes had frozen and been thawed. It would complete a delicates/wool 30°C cycle but not other programmes.
- Likely cause
- The strongest diagnosis in the discussion was a freezing-related insulation fault, most likely from a small leak caused by a cracked water valve after ice expansion. Condensation or moisture on electrical parts was also suggested. An element fault was mentioned by the owner but was not confirmed.
- What fixed it
- The recommended action was to inspect for a possible cracked valve or leak and test the machine with an insulation test meter. No repair was documented. The owner chose to replace the machine with a new larger-capacity model instead of confirming and repairing the fault.
- Checks to try
- Observed that the RCD tripped around 10 seconds after programme start
- Machine completed a full cycle on delicates/wool at 30°C
- Suggested inspection for a cracked valve or leak after freezing
- Suggested insulation test with an insulation test meter
- Parts or tools mentioned
- Insulation test meter
Safety: Further diagnosis should be carried out by a suitably qualified appliance engineer.
5 Answers
If it's related to being frozen I would suspect a small leak from a cracked valve or something. It's possible water in the valve could freeze and crack the valve. If expecting freezing conditions it's a good idea to turn off the water valves and de-pressurise the valves by putting the washer onto a fill 10 degree cotton cycle for just several seconds so that the valve energises and tries to take in water. Because the water has turned off it will just suck in some of the water from the fill hose and valve, which will help clear them a little.
Other than that I can't think of any damage related to freezing apart from possible condensation on electrical parts. To troubleshoot tripping the electrics you need an insulation test meter.
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Thanks for the info, I'll get the meter and also see if it is indeed the valve. Will let you know how it goes!
Paul
The insulation test meter is a specialist meter, normally too expensive to buy for a one off use. If you could borrow one that would be great.
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
I've decided to upgrade! Just bought a new larger drum size washing machine. So I will still be looking at the old one, but when I have some more time.
Thanks for your input, Paul
Thanks for the update. If the washer is going in the same place you need to try and ensure it doesn't happen again. I would always turn off the tap(s) after use and during cold weather periods I would try to remove as much water as you can from the hose(s) and the water valve by de-pressurising.
After turning off the water put the washer on a 40 degree wash and wait for it to try filling with water. After 10 seconds or so cancel the programme. This should pull in some of the water inside the valves and hoses taking off the pressure and making it less likely to expand if it freezes.
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