Tumble Dryer Help. Overheating and melting plug and socket.

[DPG]

If you were using a multimeter you would normally have to switch to the ac amp meter range and move the + probe to the amp meter terminal.
If you did this and your multimeter was working as it should then you would trip the rcd.
As already said it’s not the way to measure current.

The crucial part is putting your meter in series with the circuit rather than across it. If you just move the terminal in the meter them you will be applying a direct live to earth short.

 

[brianmoooore]

A heat damaged socket will quickly damage new plug if passing a significant current, so it's advisable to change the socket before using the new drier, if there's any doubt about the socket's condition.

 

[KJJ1971]

Thanks
To measure current you put the ammeter in series with the load, not directly across plug terminals.
The normal effect when doing what you describe is a bang, and/or the fuse in the multimeter blows (assuming there is one)
If neither of these happened I'm thinking maybe you actually measured the voltage between L and E at 3.9V.

A possible explanation for the melting plugs was that your old dryer was taking a lot of current due to a fault, which your measurement did not detect. The 13A fuse in the plug will not blow until the sustained current is over 20A, so that could be enough to cause the damage.
Anyway, all hypothetical now as you are replacing the dryer. Do let us know if that fixes the problem!

Hi,
I honestly thought this as how to measure current.
My multimeter can measure AC/DC Voltage & Amps, it was set to AC Amps. It has a ring which could go around a cable but as it was in the cord couldn't, which is why I done it that way.
Luckily nothing went bang.
I appreciate your advice and correcting my mistake!

 

[KJJ1971]

The crucial part is putting your meter in series with the circuit rather than across it. If you just move the terminal in the meter them you will be applying a direct live to earth short.

Could you explain a bit more so I know for future reference please?