I would guess that the heating element for the water is defective - I'm not sure when it comes on during the washing cycle but relatively soon after the water filling has finished.
If the machine trips the electricity much sooner in the cycle i.e. almost immediately it might be the water inlet solenoid but you say it rinses ok and rinsing needs water so it's unlikely to be the inlet solenoid.
I am guessing element - I suspect a short to earth if the whole house is tripping out or a short between Live & Neutral (Hot & Common) if it's just the power sockets.
The remedy, if this is a correct guess, will be to replace the element. A slightly fiddly low down on the floor task. You might consider calling an engineer who could do it much quicker and make a more accurate diagnosis than I do here.
Good luck...
Peccavi, June 2009
