Zanussi WDT1085 sometimes trips RCD at start of spin cycle

[qazwsxedc]

As subject - the machine does what it's supposed to do otherwise and there are no leaks evident. The RCD is a 30mA type. Wash cycles complete just fine, including 60deg or 90deg ones, so the heater doesn't seem to be the problem. If I reset the RCD after it trips, the spin cycle completes OK, too.

No unusual noises, either. Motor brushes are newish (1yr old).

Anyone have ideas about what the problem could be?

 

[JohnD]

damaged wire touching something when it starts to jiggle about?

Must be a fault in appliance.

 

[trap0001]

I'll probably be slated by some smart a*** electrician for saying this but RCDs can be more trouble than they're worth, especially with certain white goods gear that are 'leaky' (electrically not water wise), I simply wouldn't use an RCD, as long as the appliance is suitably bonded (earthed) thats protection enough.

 

[qazwsxedc]

Damaged wire knocking on something when the machine shudders as it spins up was my first suspicion - but how do you troubleshoot that, particularly when it's only intermittent?

That washing machine has so far given 11 years of service while sitting behind a 30mA RCD without tripping it, so *something* must have changed recently.

 

[JohnD]

faults are like that. One day they aren't there, the next day they are.

maybe 11 years of use is a clue as to why it has developed a fault.

I suppose you could plug it in and and run a wet hand over all the wires to find the damaged one? Or maybe clean the dust off with a soft paintbrush and examine them all with a bright light. Tug it about too, maybe a fixing screw has come loose, or a spring or mounting rubber has softened.

 

[foxhole]

Check brushes are seated corrrectly, they could cause arcing which might trip breaker.