Zanussi Trips Rcd
Hi,
Im after a bit of advice on a Zanussi WDT1085 TurboDry.
The machine starts to fill with water, then after about a minute it trips the RCD on the board. If I then click the dial on a bit so that its mid way through the cycle, it will run fine and complete the wash.
Im thinking this might be happening when the heating element kicks in...can anyone confirm this please? Just want to make sure before I buy a new element.
If anyone has a link to a manual that would be really appreciated too!
Cheers :-)
TG
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.
Zanussi WDT1085 TurboDry tripping RCD early in wash cycle
- The problem
- A Zanussi WDT1085 TurboDry started filling with water, then tripped the RCD after about a minute. If the programme dial was advanced to later in the cycle, the machine would then run and complete the wash.
- Likely cause
- Most strongly supported diagnosis was a heating element insulation fault to earth, or less likely an insulation issue in the nearby heater wiring. Damp/condensation in the shed was considered but the original poster later reported no condensation or wiring fault found.
- What fixed it
- The accepted advice was that the heater was the main suspect and that proper diagnosis would normally need an insulation tester. The original poster checked for condensation and obvious wiring issues, then replaced the heating element.
- Checks to try
- Observed that the motor and later parts of the programme, including spin, ran normally
- Considered whether the fault occurred when the heater was energised
- Checked for condensation inside the machine/shed
- Checked nearby wiring for obvious damage or shorting
- Planned to test with a megger/insulation tester
- Parts or tools mentioned
- Heating element
- Megger/insulation tester
Safety: Further diagnosis should be carried out by a suitably qualified appliance engineer.
8 Answers
You can't get repair manuals for them. If the motor runs ok on the later section of the programme and spin then I would agree that the heating element is number one suspect, they often go down to earth. Without a proper insulation test meter though you can't diagnose it unless you found a wire near or on the heater had come off or was shorting out somewhere. The only thing you could try without a meter is to speculatively replace the heater.
I have an article on tripping electrics
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
Thanks Andy
Will try and borrow a megger and check the element and the wiring nearby.
This is gonna be a laugh though; the shed its in is tiny and I put the machine in there before I fitted the door frame and door :D
Sheds are normally a bad place for washers but I now you wouldn't have it there if there was room elsewhere. If it's damp in there it won't help insulation, condensation can be a problem too.
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
Yeah, you're right Andy, no room elsewhere. It's a brick shed and is reasonably dry, but I will check inside for condensation.
Cheers!
TG
When appliances are in places which get very cold the moisture they create when running can condense inside and cause problems although the fault you describe sounds more like the element has developed low insulation or there's an insulation problem with the heater wiring.
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
Job done!
No condensation or dodgy wiring but it's a funny job! Ended up with the machine in the garden propped up by the tool box to get to the element. Belt off and some brut force to move the drum over a bit allowed me to *just* get it back in. I'm sure I had it upside down at one point too!
Took about an hour all in :-)
Have photos if anyone needs a steer!
Thanks for the help Andy!
TG
Nice one Feel free to post pics. I take it you managed to replace the heating element? It can be tricky to get the element out if you don;t realise how they are secured in place.
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
Yeah I managed to swap it out... Was tricky due to the angle you have to put it in at because of the machine casing.
Been off the tools for a few years now so enjoyed getting my hands dirty again :-)
Your Answer
Sign in to share your expertise and post an answer.
Related Questions
Hotpoint F7 E2 Fault
1 answer • 1 reply
My Bosch washing machine is stuck on 33 minutes remaining
1 answer • 1 reply
Bosch washing machine door lock accidentally triggered with the door open – how I reset it
0 answers • 2 replies
Cant identify the correct replacement carbon brushea
0 answers • 2 replies
LG washing machine making intermittent noise — video link included
1 answer • 4 replies
Washing machine beeps then shuts down
1 answer • 1 reply
Candy washing machine below slip
1 answer • 1 reply
No longer starts.
1 answer • 3 replies
Mould keeps building up in my washing machine tray
1 answer • 1 reply
AEG Loud Knocking on Spin
0 answers • 1 reply