Hi, My Smeg diswasher keeps triping the electric as soon as i turn it on. I have checked the filter and it is clear. Please can anyone help ?

Thanks

Kieron Bouher, May 2007

This is usually the heating element - corrosion lets small amounts of water through the element jacket, making the mineral insulation inside slightly damp. When the machine applies power to the element, enough current leaks from live to earth to trip the RCD.

In the absence of a proper electrician's insulation tester (a DVM in ohms mode doesn't test at a high enough voltage to give a meaningful result) the best way to prove this fault is to (carefully, and with the power off!) disconnect and tie back the wires that go to the element, then run the machine and see if it gets any further in the cycle.

A.

marko, May 2007

hi, it only trip when the door is closed. I can turn it on with the door open and i get all 4 light on ?? as soon as i close the door and try to turn on it trips the electric.

kieron boucher, May 2007

Forgot to ask....did u mean turn it on via the dishwashers on/off switch or via the plug/outlet on the wall? If it trips when you switch it on using the dishwasher on/off switch it is not the plug or cable but an internal short (consult a qualified electrician!) If it trips when you switch it on at the wall even when the dishwasher itself is turned off it is the plug or cable at fault.

stephen messenger, May 2007

Hi There! The reason the breaker is tripping is due to either a short circuit between live & neutral or a short from live to earth. Is it the RCD thats tripping or the MCB (circuit breaker)? The RCD is the main one that when tripped will switch off most of the house electric and the MCB is the one that if it is tripped will only switch off the kitchen sockets(or wherever the dishwasher is!) The first thing i would check is the plug for any stray strands of wire and the mains cable for any visible damage. Also with dishwashers and washing machines short circuits can often be caused by stray water reaching the electrics.

stephen messenger., May 2007