Thread: Dishwasher and earth leakage protection

If it's at the very end of the cycle, then that would be when the heater element comes on to dry the plates etc.,

...........but this could be shot down in flames if it's a cold fill machine and the heater element also heats the water.

So it could be the heater/dryer element ..............or not as the case may be

seems strange hey! I would rather be suspecting that it would have something to do with the drying mode (heater element), perhaps you need a higher rated fuse / trip thingy, the heater is obviously drawing a massive current and if everything works fine until the drying cycle then thats where I would be looking. Perhaps a Google search will reveal something.

Hi Utemad, first off, is your earth leakage switch a separate switch or is it a combined MCB/RCD switch where the circuit breaker and earth leakage switch are one in the same.

Next, can you turn different operations on and off. If you can, try operating the dish washer in different modes and it may isolate a specific operation where the switch trips and this might be the reason why friends didn’t have a problem.

I haven't actually seen this unit. All this info is from a phone call I received from my Mum today.

I think it is connected to cold water only. I didn't ask though.

The earth leakage and circuit breaker are two seperate units. It is only tripping the earth leakage.

I'll get Mum to try using it without the final drying operation assuming that is the last thing her dishwasher does. We'll see if that trips the earth leakage.

Thanks guys. I'll have more info next cycle

your dishwasher may or may not be faulty.

1. did your friend have an ELCB controlling the circuit the dishwasher was on, if it was an older home, may not have one.
dishwashers, refrigerators ,freezers and washing machines can all trip ELCB's if there is any leakage to earth , be it from moisture, condensation, dust or fluff that may suck in moisture on humid days .

the fact that it trips at the end of each finished load indicates cooling condensation is causing leakage to earth and the tripping.

refrigerators were notorious for this and were exempt from having to be protected with an elcb protected circuit.

take a look around the wiring and particularly the elements for drips or rust stains , even a squirt with wd40 wouldnt hurt .

it doesnt necessarily mean the dishwasher is faulty , but it shouldnt be ignored either,it could be just "nuisance tripping".

get the serviceman to also check the ELCB to make sure its tripping at the set ma rating.

Hi Utemad,

From many years of experience it will be the heating/drying element breaking down and tripping out the RCD. You will need to get the element replaced, be carefull of prices, shop around as F&P can be a bit pricey.

I just rang Mum and told her to try it out on different cycles. Trying the 'econo dry' first as I presume that means air dry and no heater.

Since it will be undergoing our tests this week, I'll go over and rip the back off it next weekend and make sure it is nothing obvious like a water leak or mouse damage etc.

Thanks for the tips all.

Originally Posted by seqfisho

Hi Utemad,

From many years of experience it will be the heating/drying element breaking down and tripping out the RCD. You will need to get the element replaced, be carefull of prices, shop around as F&P can be a bit pricey.

Thanks. If this is the problem and it is pricey to fix I told her just to run it on 'econo dry' and open the door when it finishes while feeling all warm and fuzzy about helping the environment