Tumble Dryer Help. Overheating and melting plug and socket.

[KJJ1971]

Hi,
I have a Prima Tumble Dryer which I have had for 5 years.

Just recently, the plug and socket melted. I replaced both and it melted again. I replaced again and again it's getting hot. I measured the temp with a laser thermometer which said it was 42.5oc. I drilled a couple of holes in the plug so I can measure the current draw (live to earth), which was 3.9amps.

I'm not sure why this is happening?
I would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions as to why this is happening and how to solve it please.

Thank you,
Keith

 

[mainline]

Hi,
I have a Prima Tumble Dryer which I have had for 5 years.

Just recently, the plug and socket melted. I replaced both and it melted again. I replaced again and again it's getting hot. I measured the temp with a laser thermometer which said it was 42.5oc. I drilled a couple of holes in the plug so I can measure the current draw (live to earth), which was 3.9amps.

I'm not sure why this is happening?
I would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions as to why this is happening and how to solve it please.

Thank you,
Keith

Replace the socket outlet with a decent one, as well as the plug.

Make sure that all the connections are all good.

 

[richy3333]

I'd be replacing the tumble dryer before anything worse happens!

 

[KJJ1971]

Replace the socket outlet with a decent one, as well as the plug.

Make sure that all the connections are all good.

I have done this 2 times now.

I have just checked the dryer whilst being used and it's melting. Temp was 78oc but only shows drawing 3.9amps????

I've turned it off. Would the dryer cable be the issue??

Why would the plug get so hot it's melting??

 

[KJJ1971]

I'd be replacing the tumble dryer before anything worse happens!

I think I will, but just want to know why this is happening???

 

[DPG]

I think I will, but just want to know why this is happening???

Most likely bad contact between the plug and socket caused by either age, bad connections or poor quality plug/socket. As above, replace the socket and the plug and make sure you use good quality ones.

 

[mainline]

I have done this 2 times now.

I have just checked the dryer whilst being used and it's melting. Temp was 78oc but only shows drawing 3.9amps????

I've turned it off. Would the dryer cable be the issue??

Why would the plug get so hot it's melting??

If it’s protected by a 13 amp fuse then it shouldn’t be causing the plug / socket outlet to overheat.

In a previous post you said you were measuring the current between L and Earth I can only assume that you have no rcd otherwise it would have tripped.

 

[James]

I think it is time for you to call in a professional.

if you have changed both the plug and the socket 2 times and it is happily melting away whilst in use, providing you have used good quality materials for both the plug and the socket and changed them at the same time.

the only other common factor in the last 2 unsuccessful repairs is the workmanship.

 

[Avo Mk8]

I think I will, but just want to know why this is happening???

I certainly don't understand what is happening from the information you've given.
Is the plug you changed a standard 13A fused plug, and did you have a new fuse in it, or is it the fuse from the original overheating plug?
Is the socket you changed a standard 13A socket? What brand?
When you said "I drilled a couple of holes in the plug so I can measure the current draw (live to earth), which was 3.9amps."
what exactly did you do? Were you actually measuring ac current between E and L? How did you do that through a couple of holes drilled in the plug?
There would have been current flowing through the fuse, did you measure the value of that?

I would expect any current capable of heating up the flex and plug/socket would be enough to blow the fuse, assuming all the terminations have been made and tightened properly.

 

[KJJ1971]

Most likely bad contact between the plug and socket caused by either age, bad connections or poor quality plug/socket. As above, replace the socket and the plug and make sure you use good quality ones.

As far as I know they are good quality.