I am looking at a potential problem with a tumble drier. It was reported to produce a loud pop during use before the electric was turned off by the RCD. Resetting the RCD returned everything to normal. I am trying to work out what had popped in the drier. Since it still works, I presume nothing in it was damaged. Any ideas please?
Tumble drier tripping RCD
- Thread starter DiyNutJob
- Start date
It could be absolutely anything, but what ever it was, has obviously blown itself clear. The pop, would suggest a suppression capacitor to me - usually a yellow plastic component, somewhere close to the mains supply input, or on the PCB, where the mains connects to it.
Replacing one - it absolutely must be replaced with an X-rated one, of the same voltage rating as the original.
Not necessarily, X-rated are designed to blow the fault clear.
Like you said " a potential problem " it could hve been that condensation dripped onto an electrical component and blew itself clear. If you want to check for something see if there is any sign of dampness around electrical components. Element and motor would be somewhere to start if you need to.
Assuming it is an X-rated cap, which has failed, they fit those as electrical noise suppressors, or filters. They prevent the noise escaping the machine, and getting into the machine, upsetting the electronics.
They act rather like the oil filter on a car engine, they stop the dirt in the oil, getting to the engine.
I didn't know what you were talking about. Now, it dawned on me you are talking about capacitors. Those would pop.
Here's the front control panel. I don't think there are any caps here.
Here's the rear top entry for the mains. No chance these bits would get wet.
A possible pop candidate is this. The black plastic at the bottom looks torn and could be cause by the pop explosion. What is it and how do I test it?
They are not ordinary capacitors, they are special ones, rated to be across the mains supply. As said -usually yellow, but can be other colours, even black. That last photo, looks like a likely candidate, but too blurred to be certain. It looks as if the mains filter, is built as a complete package component, in that machine - so may not be cheap to replace it. To test it, you would need a high voltage capacitor tester, which would cost you more than a new machine.
Going by the expelled electrolyte, the filter capacitor does account for the pop. The dryer does have a little water beneath it. So, what is more likely? 1: water shorted the motor, triggering the RCD and blowing the capacitor. 2: capacitor blew, triggering the RCD, with the water leak being unrelated.
The two are completely unrelated.
The motor is on the other side of the plumbing. So, water dripping onto it is unlikely. It is dry.
Is there any consequence to using the machine with the exploded filter while waiting for the new £15 part to arrive? Here's a clearer view of the explosion.
Is there any consequence to using the machine with the exploded filter while waiting for the new £15 part to arrive? Here's a clearer view of the explosion.
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