Washing Machine PAT earthleakage failure

[TechD]

Hi,
I have recently had a safety inspection done, for a house which is to be let. The appliances were tested (fridge, freezer & washing machine) and all were ok - except for the washing machine (12 y/old) where it failed on "earth leakage"? Visually there is nothing wrong with the machine - which also functions perfectly. The tester was unsure over what could cause this - but said it could be some tracking via a pcb - but he didnt have the knowledge to comment further. In view of the age of the machine a service could be throwing money away - but is this failure common on these sorts of appliances? I wondered if it was something possible like scale on the heating element building up and providing a route to earth - or something like that. Anyone able to comment?
Thanks for any info or education.

TD

 

[StirlingScott]

The "earth leakage test" is a test done with the power switched onto the appliance and a figure about 3.5milliamps leaking to earth indiactes a fail with most Pat Testers.

Most heavy current Class 1 appliances especially washing machines will give some leakage to earth usually under 1 milliamps but not normally as high as 3.5ma

Youve already stated a couple of reasons which could cause this with age being a big factor. You may even find that this appliance being 12 years old, may even be designed as such that there will always have been a high earth leakage and under todays test pass figures is now a fail.

 

[plugwash]

the other suspect is water getting somewhere it shouldn't

 

[breezer]

i would put money on it you are wrong.

as the motor turns, so the carbon motor brushes get worn, where do you suppose the carbonn dust goes?
when i worked for hp, you had to megger the m/c before and after repair, it wasnt uncommon to find one showing less than 1m to earth, (only just) way round it was to take brushes out and clean holders, or put in new brushes, and clean motor.

but sometimes you changed the motor as it was easier

 

[TechD]

So, is it probably a completely uneconomical repair to consider (replacement machine shortlisted is £210 delivered similar spec to machine being replaced)?

If the appliance was ok for regs 12 yrs ago - would it be unwise to keep (in view of the failure) the machine as a "spare" for my own use in the future rather than for a tenant? My thoughts are along the lines of a classic car failing an MOT emissions test today - for something it was never reasonbly designed to do - and is not the preferred result but an unavoidable but probably still safe one with all things considered.

 

[Big_Spark]

Tech, A 12 yr old machine is by no means useless, but it is also past it's best. It may be possible to track down the cause of the issue, it could be anyone of the above mentioned causes or even all combined.

What you need to way up is what the cost of finding the problem will be, in terms of labour, and then fixing it, if it can be fixed.

It might simply be the easier option to buy a new machine and keep this as an emergency backup for yourself or the rented property if you have somewhere dry you can store it.

 

[TechD]

Yep, FWL_Engineer - my mind is 99% of the opinion buy a new one

I thought is approp to check that the failure is not one of those 10 pence 5 mins repair type jobs, or even the possibility the PAT test needs a different setting for certain appliances. Whilst I thought the electrician had set the tester on the right setting, as he was still reading the instruction manual (along with me..) I wanted some reassurance before "wasting" money on a new machine.

Thanks for the help - at least the Mrs will have a new book/manual to read soon..........

 

[breezer]

taking out the motor brushes and pointing a vacuum cleaner in there is free, but do unplug m/c first.

 

[Big_Spark]

taking out the motor brushes and pointing a vacuum cleaner in there is free, but do unplug m/c first.

Considering it will cost nought to try this, this is good advice really, as it hoovering out all the dust inside the machine, which could actually be slightly damp and partly responsible.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Do consider though that if the provision of a WM is your responsibility, and it packs up when a tenant is in there, you may have to make a distress purchase of a replacement. And at 12 years old it is probably on borrowed time.

If you replace it now you can take your time to find a good deal. I would strongly recommend looking for independent white goods suppliers who specialise in the sale of items which have been returned to the m'fac with cosmetic damage. They come with the full manufacturer's warranty but can be remarkably cheap if you don't mind a few scratches or dings. Which often can't be seen when you push the thing under a worksurface...