fridge trips RCD

[timthetrainer]

Hey all

why would my fridge trip out the RCD do you think?

 

[batty]

Its broken.

 

[timthetrainer]

Haha, thank goodness for that, i thought it was me being stupid! might there be a more technical reason that you could help me with though?

 

[kerching]

Haha, thank goodness for that, i thought it was me being stupid! might there be a more technical reason that you could help me with though?

Yep...its really broken, broken enough to trip the RCD!

[Motor windings on compressor shorted to earth at a guess, or a remote chance that if there is an interior lamp then there is moisture behind/in it innit.].................. :coat

 

[batty]

Could be a few things insulation breaking down on compressor, has it got an automatic defrost.

 

[timthetrainer]

it's one of those fancy american fridge freezers with ice maker and water dispenser (Maytag, about 10 years old-no problems before) if i plug it in with the setting at 'off' (it's mechanical not digital) the RCD does not trip and the interior lights, ice door and water dispenser work, when i move from 'off' it trips out immediately. it does have auto defrost, but if i disconnect the element, it still trips. does that help?

 

[batty]

Probably compressor has gone i think.

 

[timthetrainer]

if memory serves, from my days as an apprentice, (which was many years ago!!)if i take take off the relay and test the resistance between all 3 terminals, 0 ohms should indicate that the compressor is OK shouldn't it?

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

Quite unlikely...

BUT you can test an RCD to make sure it is operating correctly....

As a general rule though when they start to fail.. They normally DONT trip..

Rather than tripping in an oversensitive manner...

Assuming the RCD is OK then something is leaking to earth at more than 30ma

Maybe one of our members could pop in and do a test on your RCD to verify that was working OK..

and do an insulation resistance test on the fridge...

get an idea about what or where it is breaking down.. i.e. Live to Earth or Neutral to Earth..

If I was local'ish I would pop round & test the RCD & fridge for approx

 

[timthetrainer]

Definately not RCD and have checked flex, there's no mice there, and to make sure, I've left a sign saying 'NO MICE' seriously though' no damage.

 

[M107]

sparkyb is Oxford way I think

 

[sprocketflup]

Is changing the compressor a specialist job? Or would that be in the remit of the average spark?

 

[NozSpark]

I think you have to registered, as you'll be dealing with refrigerant

 

[sparky b]

sparkyb is Oxford way I think

Yes I am, Thanks M.....

Tim, if you'd like me to pop over send me a private message with your contact details. Where abouts are you??

 

[Andy™]

Is changing the compressor a specialist job? Or would that be in the remit of the average spark?

probably a specialist job, unless you can swap the guts without disturbing the refridgerant

its not something i would attampt to repair, and ill usually have a go at fixing just about anything

 

[OnOff]

You can try on the UK Whitegoods forum they're quite helpful - make sure to post up the model number. Silly question, the plug and wall socket are all properly connected/tight etc? Make sure the plug is on the lead properly and try another socket maybe.............

 

[Badger]

Its broken.

brilliant humour as always on the site :slap

 

[buzzbang]

door wire trapped

 

[Andy™]

door wire trapped

i think the problem may have been fixed by now

 

[Theorysparky]

I reckon he is still posting on the white goods forum !!!!!