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jim1000

Hi all i'm a little stuck been asked by my folks to have a look at their washing machine as they all think if it has a plug on it i know the whole workings, design, and how to repair it. My problem is there seems to be a short on the motor when running i know its not the pump or element as have tested them and both fine. There is a blue flash when running and out goes the rcd. Now i know this may be a leak dripping onto motor but all seems dry. I cant seem to remember how to test the motor as there are multiple connection as ran off the pcb i have meggered the connections at 250 then 500v and seem to be getting good readings of plus 250 M ohms apart from the centre 2 connections where i am getting 7.5M ohms. Any pointers on washing machine motor testing will be greatly recieved.
 
Have you checked the brushes on the motor?
 
Yeah that was first on the list they dont look new but have still got a fair bit on them, the motor itself looks good as well no chunks missing out of either of them, i just wanted to make sure 100% electricaly safe, then just be a case of checking for leaks, but all seems tight and water proof may have to just run with top and back off see if i can see why then.
 
Maybe also drop the belt off and check the bearings for play. If they're collapsed it could also become an insulation problem when the rotor contacts the stator.
 
9 times out of 10, it's cheaper to replace the washing machine than to start trying to replace parts like the main motor. And if the machine is of any age, you may be struggling to find a replacement motor anyway...lol!! Seems to be 5 years and virtually everything has been changed or superseded. Well i suppose it's the throw away age we live in now!! lol!!
 
I've had two washing machines go west on me. On each occasion the commutator gets clogged up and creates a fault to earth which trips the socket ring RCD. I got fed up with buying a new washing machine and hardwired it into a FCU on the conveniently placed towel rail circuit. All the numbers were good and it's worked perfectly ever since.

Incidentaly "Haynes" do a washing machine manual (if you're interested).

Laurie
 
sounds like the motors shot
i had a strange fault on a w/m once, the rcd was tripping
the cause was a build up if insects inside the connection box where the supply flex goes
might be worth a looksee
 
The motor has a fault but it's not "shot".
A small proportion of the high start-up current tracks around the commutator and earths, tripping the RCD. As soon as the motor is turning the current is lower and all is well.
 
Sometimes the dust off the brushes can be an issue where it gets into areas where it can create a fault path. A good blow through with an airline to remove said dust may improve things. But as others have said, I should price up availability of a new motor before spending too much time on it...!
 

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