Hotpoint WD640 Tripping RCD with a bang

mjd · 23 Apr 2013 at 20:29

Our 6 yr old Hotpoint WD640 tripped the RCD for the first time earlier today halfway through a wash cycle, I wasn't in the room at the time and as such only realised when I went to put the kettle on. I flicked the RCD back on and there then followed a loud pop/bang (not a click) from the washing machine and it tripped the RCD once again. I have looked this up online and there is a lot of talk of failing elements, door switches, and mains suppressors causing an RCD to trip but zero mention of the loud pop that comes first in our case. This happens whether the door is open or not, it just has to be plugged in and switched on at the socket. I plan to open it up tomorrow to look for anything obvious, but would interested to know if anyone has come across such a problem with their machine?

mjd · 23 Apr 2013 at 20:39

Yes, that's correct

mjd · 23 Apr 2013 at 20:55

I have had the heater box apart in the past to clean the filter when the dryer wasn't working, so I am happy to get my hands dirty.
Is it just a question of disconnecting the terminals on each element?

mjd · 23 Apr 2013 at 21:19

That's great - thanks for the info, really appreciate it

mjd · 24 Apr 2013 at 10:34

OK - so both heater and dryer elements test OK for continuity.
Is there anything else I can test before going to more expensive lengths to resolve this?

mjd · 24 Apr 2013 at 21:55

Thanks for the reply.

I've taken a punt on it being a faulty suppressor and ordered a replacement earlier today.
No precise theory to this, other than the only account I can find of an identical fault on the same model involved a hotpoint service call where the engineer replaced the suppressor and mains cable, and the problem was resolved.

Fingers crossed