Washing machine tripping the circuit breaker

[trukkakhan]

Hi all,
I thought this was more electric than specific appliance related.
Got back to the house : electrics tripped - I turned off all individual circuit breakers, turned on the main breaker then one by one the invidual ones. The kitchen breaker for the washing machine was the culprit. I rewired the plug, plugged back in, turned the kitchen breaker on and the main breaker tripped. The washing machine was not even turned on.
Using a digital multimeter on " continuity " setting what readings should be between the pins on the plug and what would different readings indicate ?
After the plug I would like to isolate the cause and decide on fixing or replacing the machine.
Thanks
Alex

 

[EFLImpudence]

If all is well with the WM unplugged then it is most likely the WM or its flex.

Photo of the breakers which are tripping may help.

 

[trukkakhan]

EFL, Yes it probably is WM - I am curious as to what readings should be across neutral and earth on an appliance plug ( open or closed circuit ? ) if the appliance is faulty.

 

[EFLImpudence]

It's not really possible to say with the electronics and various internal parts.

Tell us what the readings are and something may be obvious.
If there is a resistance of less than 8000 ohms between any this would cause an RCD (is main switch an RCD?) to trip but not an MCB.

Make sure the flex isn't damaged.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

If there is a resistance of less than 8000 ohms between either L or N and E this would cause an RCD (is main switch an RCD?) to trip but not an MCB.

But even if the readings are more when using a meter, that's no guarantee that they are the same at 230V AC.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Ok. Fair enough.

Just trying to get an idea.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Indeed - a dodgy reading won't get better when power is applied...