My Creda 1000 Supaspeed washing machine model 17086 trips the RCD circuit breaker every time the water reaches the fill level (I hear the pressure switch switching). The motor works fine as I can get it to spin once the water level drops below the fill level. I've traced the wire that has its contact made by the pressure switch to the heater element. Does this mean that the heater is shorting to earth? The trip doesn't go if I disconnect the wire to the heater and fill the machine, but then it doesn't stop filling. Is the fill stopped when the pressure switch reaches the second contact point ?

Eugene Lukjanenko, October 2004

It certainly points to a fault with the heating element. I suspect that if you was able to conduct an insulation test you would find the reading was low. Try changing the heating element, should only be around £20. The cause could be due to limescale build up or drum wear on the outer skin of the heater.

Mike, October 2004