Wm63 Tripping Rcd

[kingburty]

Hi,

I have an 11 yr old hotpoint aquarius WM63 (so it dosent owe me anything!) It has started tripping the rcd. It has had a couple of brush replacements on the motor in its time and a door catch mech. The trip occurs very quickly upon starting the wash program, after a split second of letting the water in. When taking the wire loom off the motor, it will continue to fill- so I guessed it was a dodgy motor. I have replaced the brushes (no help), taken the motor / armature out, cleaned, checked continuities etc. Armature / commutator appears ok, brushes are sliding in / out ok, all to no avail.

I wonder if anyone has any suggestions, other than to get rid. I am happy to 'make do and mend'!

I have seen a recon motor on ebay for £30- but could my motor be ok and the problem lie elsewhere?

Very respectful and appreciative of any help / advice.

Regards,

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Hello. You can't troubleshoot a fusing washing machine without an insulation test meter (megger), which sends 500 volts (DC) through the machine and components to show where the insulation has broken down. Without a proper meter you can only crudely swap parts. It sounds like the motor is the number one suspect because it stops tripping when disconnected. A build up of carbon dust from worn brushes can cause the washing machine to trip the electrics but replacing brushes would never cure it as the brushes are only the cause of this new symptom.

If you have stripped the armature out and cleaned everyting though it can't be carbon dust. I would suspect the armature itself has low insulation but it would need testing with a meter to confirm as the field coil can go down to earth too.

Help article on tripping electrics