Not A Powercut. I'm Confused.

[albaqwerty]

(OK, i'm normally confused anyway)

Power went off at about 2.40pm, all was working as usual, went upstairs and son's bedroom light was on. Washing machine seems to be the problem, the rcd(?) trips when the machine is switched on, never has been a problem in the past.

Silly question, should I check the fuse in the plug?

[buildersmate]

You can, be all means check it, but you'll probably find it intact.
It seems you have an earth-leakage fault with the washing machine which needs investigating by someone qualified to understand what they are looking for.

[The Builder]

The plug fuse wouldn't be the problem Alba, but do look in the plug to see if any stray water has got in.

If not, then most likely a w/machine fault. It's developed a leak to earth I expect.

Do you have a "split load" consumer unit? ie one with two separate banks, each with its own RCD?

[buildersmate]

Snap!

[factor-fiction]

Is everything else definitely working? I had the problem with my tumble dyer and every time it went my freezer and washing machine power went too, so I had to flick the fuse switch back on in the main fuse box

[albaqwerty]

Many thanks for your replies gentlemen.
(The qualified electrical man in my life was my late father)

The machine has been piddling over the past few weeks.

I'll see if I can find a friendly leccy-man over the next 24 hours before calling out the 'big guns' as it were. (someone always knows a nice tradesperson in my area, fortunately)

The fuse box (as it were) is a single row of trip switches (rcd"s?)

[owdhamer]

Unplug the washer and have checked out.

[albaqwerty]

The older alba switched the wash machine back on, box tripped, reset, machine back on, box tripped. Deffo wash machine. (I hate them but like them at the same time)

Apropos of nothing, in the 70's when there was the 3 days working week etc, parents sat and played cards by candle light, brother came home and switched the light on (please don't tell me I'm getting like my mother!!)

[shooty]

does it only trip when washer is on ?
If so,you have an internal leak in the washer which is creating an earth fault with either the neutral/live. (possibly pump) you will need an appliance repair man, not a sparky. two different fields.

[albaqwerty]

will do Owd xxxx

[boxtops]

Your lighting circuit is separate from the ringmain - the power to the plugs in the wall can fail but the lights are still on. Our fuse box has got 6 different circuits for different parts of the house.

[albaqwerty]

oooh, I know an appliance repair man Shooty, He's abrupt but really good at his stuff.
Many thanks x

[The Builder]

Great minds BM :o)))

Ok I guess you have a row of MCBs (miniature circuit breakers) and one RCD. If you had two, I was going to suggest swapping things around (plug-wise, not inside the consumer unit).

Factor, these things can be intermittent. That's the problem. Alba, you might find the machine might work later, but if it's been piddling, then I suspect internal leakage on to the gubbins (BM's word of the month)

[albaqwerty]

everything went downstairs Boxy, including the boiler upstairs.
(I should rephrase that)

[albaqwerty]

ooh I like the word Gubbins :-)

Washing machines and I do not get on, this is the fourth inside 8 years of being in this house.i

[shooty]

reading through our crossed posts. defo appliance repairman or a new washer.

[albaqwerty]

I think I'll ask Santa for a twin tub. They seem to be sensible.

Thank you so much for your help folks xxx

Did anyone say Ab'ers are wonderful people? xxx

[shooty]

Times are hard, Santa may bring you a washboard ; )

[ChuckFickens]

I'd put my money on the element :)

But any half decent appliance man will be able to figure it out easily.

[albaqwerty]

oh, shooty, a wash-board and a mangle? I'm aiming too high :-)

Chuck, don't be sensible, a half-decent repair man has probably been maimed :-D

[ChuckFickens]

:)

Just spotted you said the machines been "piddling".... I want to change my bet now.

Has it been noisy recently?