Hotpoint Wd62 Tripping Mains Once Full Of Water
Hi, as the title suggests I have a hotpoint WD62 that is tripping the mains.
The machine will trip the mains once the water level has reached a certain level. Manually emptying some of the water
allows the machine to complete a drain, spin and dry cycle so it is definitely not the motor or dryer heater element.
What could be causing this?
I had suspected the heater element but feel that is unlikely as once just a small amount of water has been removed it stops tripping and can complete a drain, spin, and dry cycle without issue.
I suspect that possibly be some of the wiring from the pressure switch has lost its insulation and is causing a short when the pressure switch is closed, or perhaps a fault with some other component
that is active when the pressure switch is closed. Does this sound likely?
My current plan of action is to examine the wiring from the pressure switch and if this turns out to be sound I will isolate the heater element and test the unit again.
Any other tips on what I can try. I don't especially want to fork out for a new machine!
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.
Hotpoint WD62 tripped the mains when the tub filled; faulty heater element confirmed
- The problem
- A Hotpoint WD62 washing machine was tripping the mains once the water reached a certain level. If some water was manually removed, the machine could then drain, spin and dry normally.
- Likely cause
- Failed heater element causing an insulation fault when energised at the correct water level. This was confirmed by testing the machine with the heater disconnected.
- What fixed it
- The accepted advice was that this type of fault cannot be diagnosed reliably without proper insulation testing and that the heater is a common cause. The original poster then isolated the heater, found the machine ran normally without tripping, and replaced the heater element. After fitting a new element, the machine worked normally.
- Checks to try
- Observed that the trip occurred once water reached a certain level
- Confirmed the machine could complete drain, spin and dry after some water was removed
- Heater was disconnected and its cables insulated and tied out of the way
- Machine then ran normally without fusing
- New heater element fitted and machine tested working fine
- Parts or tools mentioned
- Heater element
- Specialist insulation test meter
Safety: Further diagnosis should be carried out by a suitably qualified appliance engineer.
5 Answers
As I say in my advice about troubleshooting a washing machine tripping the electrics you can't diagnose it without a specialist insulation test meter. Unless there's something obvious you would be just guessing. The heater will not come on if water level drops below a certain level so it's possible the heater is the cause, it's one of the common causes for fusing but I never recommend replacing parts without properly diagnosing they are faulty first.
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Thanks for your advice. I shall isolate the heater to see if that rectifies the problem and if so I know to replace the element.
I'll post back with my results.
Results time:
It is indeed the heater. With it disconnected and the cables safely insulated and tied out of the way the machines runs as normal without fusing.
I'll pop a new element in there in the week.
Thanks again for the advice.
Quick update:
The machine now has a new element and is working fine.
Nice one.
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