Problem with Home Electrics or Appliance - please help

[leo1]

Hi guys, I hope you can help me. I am an engineer but not on electricity, so I apologise if I am using incorrect terminology. Today for the first time, while my dishwasher was on, I heard a clicking noise and it stopped. The noise came from the relevant MCB on the consumer unit (which also feeds the integrated Fridge and Extractor fan in my kitchen), as it interrupted the electricity to the circuit. I put the wall-switch for the dishwasher in the off position and went back to the consumer unit to restore electricity on that MCB. Power came back on on the Fridge and Extractor. Then I tried the wall-switch for the dishwasher and power stayed on. I set the program again on the dishwasher, closed the door and waited. After its initial draining of the remaining water from the previously failed cycle it sounded as if it started to work like normal again but it immediately caused the power to go off again. I have tried a few times and repeatedly obtained the same behaviour. I should also mention that the dishwasher has been emitting a mild burnt-like smell every time it was in use for the last few months, the smell similar to when an electronic component burns on a PCB (printed circuit board). So, do you think I have a problem with the dishwasher or with the connectivity to it and how can I ascertain which one of the two it is? I am worried about calling an electrician who would charge me to then tell me the problem is my dishwasher when I could have just replaced it for say, £200.
Is there anything else I could try? The damn dishwasher is integrated so I cannot see behind it or how it is connected...

Many thanks

Leo

 

[mechelec]

An electrician will be able to tell you for certain what the problem is very quickly and shouldn't cost too much.
it could be a bad connection at the plug or socket behind the unit so best get the fault confirmed before lashing out £200 for nothing

 

[telectrix]

sounds like the dishwaher, but getting a sprks in to confirm or disprove should not cost more than £40-£50, so IMO, that is the best way forward.

 

[Engineer54]

Can you buy an integrated dishwasher for 200 quid?? Hmmmm, ....I don't think so!! Try nearer doubling the 200 and you'll get somewhere near it!! lol!!

 

[i=p/u]

well id say its the dishwasher, ive heard of these things going on fire, mines hasnt but my tumble dryer nearly did, set me smoke alarms off.. as you say you have unplugged it and it goes back to normal, hint hint

 

[telectrix]

my dishwasher is 60 years old and still going strong. she's a good cook as well.

 

[leo1]

Thank you both. £40-50 seems like an awful lot of money for ascertaining a fault (rather than fixing one). Would you be able to give me any tips on what I can look for to diagnose the fault? Is it worth dislodging the dishwasher from its supporting casing to see whats happening behind it?

 

[leo1]

In Comet you can buy both integrated and stand alone dishwashers for £200 and below too. That is the first site I checked, I can therefore assume there are other sites with even better offers too. And by the way I am not talking about indesit or other cheap brands, I saw a Baumatic for £229, integrated...

 

[telectrix]

an awful lot??? try getting your car diagnosed at a main dealer £90+VAT, your solicitor to see you for an hour and write a letter £275 + VAT. get real.

 

[Engineer54]

In Comet you can buy both integrated and stand alone dishwashers for £200 and below too. That is the first site I checked, I can therefore assume there are other sites with even better offers too. And by the way I am not talking about indesit or other cheap brands, I saw a Baumatic for £229, integrated...

Must be seconds then, or maybe what they call ''Grey'' goods!!

 

[Spazz]

straight away thats the dishwasher.

You say its been smelling for the last few months - clear give away
You say all works fine when the wall switch for the dishwasher is off (double isolation switch - I hope!) - another clear sign its the dishwasher

Turn the dishwasher off and try it then - if the MCB stays on and does not trip, thats confirmed it.

Buy a new dishwasher and that will solve all your problems.

Otherwise send it to a repair, but if you say its smelt like its burning then Im sure theres a bigger problem, most probably the circuit board has gone, and they are more than the dishwasher in the first place.

The clicking you heard would probably have been the relays clicking, due to a lack of power.


I wouldn't mess with it if you dont know what your doing - if you do take the back off and have a look at the circuit board and all electrical components you can see, use your nose and see where the burning is coming from - MAKE SURE ITS UNPLUGGED!!! both on the water and mains!!!!

 

[derek preece]

You could do an Insulation Resistance test using properly calibrated equipment - that would only cost 300-600 pounds or so

 

[Spazz]

To be completely honest as Leo has said hes not a sparky, and probably no experience as hes asking for advice on what to look for - no offence

Buy a new one from comit (as said £200 - mine cost £220 with free delivery!)

Dont mess with it, water and electric do not mix well at all!

 

[derek preece]

If it was mine and I wasn't a sparky, I'd probably check the warranty of the device, if it was no longer under warranty then I'd make sure the power was off and the device was disconnected, then open it up and take a quick look for obvious signs of burning or loose wires hanging around.

 

[telectrix]

or get your friendly local pikey to nick it for scrap, then claim off insurance.