Plunged Into Darkness By Washing Machine.

[gness]

The downstairs electrics have been going off today. After much climbing over the car to the trip switch and a process of elimination I think my washing machine may be the cause. We noticed the power went when the machine changed operation. It's a Bosch about eight years old.

Since the machine finished its last load and I have unplugged it the lights and sockets have stayed on.

I can see no leaks...the floor and all around the machine are quite dry. Is there anything I can look for before starting another wash to experiment?
I'm a bit loathe to do this in case it's a permanent blackout.

And...though I expect a machine to last about twenty years is a repair a false economy at eight years old...would a new machine be more sensible?

[Zacs-Master]

Probably nothing wrong with the machine Gness. Do I deduce from your post that your washer is in the garage and the socket is wired via a separate consumer unit (fuse board)? If so the fuse may be designed for light loads and it may be the washer is 'pulling' more load than the circuit is designed for.

[gness]

Hi, Zacs....the washer is in the utility room, it's really almost the kitchen .....The fuse box is in the garage. Not my doing and a stupid place for it.

I am pretty sure I haven't overloaded the washer but am prepared to try a small load if I can't find another way of detecting if this is the problem.
Don't want a cold, dark Christmas.

[Zacs-Master]

Plug a kettle, or a fan heater into the same socket as the washer, switch them on and see if this trips the switch.

[gness]

Oh buggeration! Electrics went again so I don't need a new washer after all. But what the hell is it?

I replugged in a table lamp a few minutes before this blackout....can an appliance take a few minutes to have an effect?

[gness]

Crossed there, Zacs...thank you but it seems to be something else doesn't it. Just have to keep eliminating things I suppose...

Did manage to manually open the electric garage door and put the car outside where it's staying tonight...I am too bloody old to be climbing over cars..:-(

[shoota]

You havn't been conducting any, er, 'rituals' have you?

[gness]

Shoota...I melt the wax on the gas hob.....☺

[redman41]

The Weather is causing problems with your electrics gness, wind is causing power surges and circuit breakers are tripping out ! xx

[jno]

what, you mean like the Consecration of the Skip, shoota?

[jomifl]

Several appliances that operate intermittently and have a large startup load can cause an overload trip when they all come on together. Have you added any appliances such a therostatically controlled heater to your household since las winter?

[shoota]

I was thinking more of summoning up de men jno......

[gness]

Redman...I did consider the weather as today has been scary beyond belief. Maybe that's the answer....would it affect half the circuit board?

Jomfil....I had a new circuit board and all the inherited dodgy electrics sorted about ten months ago...I've added nothing new that I can think of since then. There is very little on today....the only extra was the washer.

Jno....the skip is looking inviting at the moment... :-(

[gness]

Only man I want today, Shoota....is an electrician....x

[jomifl]

gness, is it an overload trip or an earth leakage trip?

[baza]

bit saucy asking gness if she has a leakage, sometimes it's better not to ask ladies of a certain age that question.

[gness]

Oh, Baza...you don't know how near the mark you are today!

Jom....I don't know now....so little on I can't see that it's an overload trip.

But...I have managed to get hold of an electrician...a friendly one...who is going to call in tomorrow morning. I can't eliminate anything else myself now.

Thank you all so much for your help....your a great bunch...even Baza...☺

[gness]

I have an electric awning.....the daughter suggested unplugging that and the power has stayed on since I did. That is more susceptible to the elements than anything inside
It's powered from upstairs which has been fine but maybe somehow it's tripping something....fed up....:-(

[gness]

I left the awning unplugged last night and all was fine. This morning, by hanging out of the bedroom window I could see that the box that powers it is partly open. This was something that happened days after it was fitted so I had the company back and they assured me it wouldn't happen again...however...
Last night I left the trip switch to the garage light off. I flipped it on this afternoon and...darkness. So it seems to be a combination of the awning and garage light, both of which I can do without.
I cancelled the electrician because he is going on holiday today and was doing me a favour.
I guess the awning company can be responsible for the box of electrics opening......☺

[tonyav]

Sounds like some water ( rain ) has got into the box, gness.

[The Builder]

I don't know what the power consumption of the awning is, Gness, but it may well be wired into the garage lighting circuit. Water is already in there by the sound of it, so definitely leave this circuit off.

From a safety point of view, it sounds as though you have a good system.
Have a great Christmas.