In case of violation of the operating rules, an automatic washing machine (CMA) can shock a person with electric shock. At the slightest electric shock, the device must be turned off, and the cause of the malfunctions identified and eliminated. We will find out what to do if the drum is shocking in a typewriter, how to find and fix a malfunction.
Why is the drum beating?
Using household appliances, many completely forget about the danger. But circumstances may arise so that a good helper - a washing machine, will become a source of powerful electric shock. Such a probability arises during a breakdown of current. If unpleasant sensations occur when you touch the drum - it means that there was a breakdown of current to the drum.
Reasons for the breakdown
Causes of electricity leakage:
- Damaged wiring. Everyone knows that if you remove the insulating sheath from the cable, then you can get access to live parts. If the cable is transmitted somewhere, breakdown and a severe electric shock can occur. The device must be immediately disconnected from the network and inspected in order to detect damage.
- High humidity. Water conducts electric current well, so wet hands always increase the risk of damage. Usually users feel a little tingling.
- Damaged to the heater. Damage to the heating element or breakdown of the engine can cause electric shocks.
- Lack of grounding. This is the most common cause of breakdown in a washing machine. Many users simply do not think or are not aware of the need for reliable grounding.
It is not necessary to wait until the machine starts to beat with electric current, if during operation the engine makes strange sounds or smells of scorched rubber - turn off the device and call the wizard.
How to troubleshoot
Troubleshooting is best left to a specialist. But if you have experience with electrical appliances and electrical networks, you can cope with the task yourself. But do not forget to follow all safety precautions.
Grounding
If the AGR is not grounded, there will always be a risk of electric shock. Therefore, when installing the SMA, they must be grounded. Even if a drum, case or any other part of the machine breaks through, a person will not suffer. A non-grounded washing machine will accumulate a slight electric charge. Every owner of an ungrounded machine feels it - just touch it. The charge is especially noticeable if the hands are wet.
The solution is to immediately lay the grounding cable. There are two options:
- In new homes, switchboards usually have ground terminals - in this case, the issue is solved simply. The problem can be eliminated even at the construction stage - there is a wire in the power grid that discharges currents into the ground by chance.
- In old houses, a grounding bus is not provided, so you have to tinker with its laying. It is best to invite an electrician who will lay the grounding cable.
Grounding is possible in two ways:
- First option. Grounding is done from the electrical panel:
- From the shield to the outlet conduct a 3-core copper cable. Cross section - 4 or 2.5 mm.
- Near the place where the washing machine will stand, mount a 16 A socket. If the SMA is installed in the bathroom, a moisture-proof socket is installed.
- The second option. If the house has a grounding bus, the problem is solved even easier. The “zero” wire of a 3-core cable is connected to the bus marked N. The phase wire is connected through an RCD and an automatic circuit breaker to the phase wire of the electric meter. A ground wire is connected to the bus marked PE.
If there is no grounding bus, you will have to call an electrician - so that he mounts it. All the work described above requires accuracy, knowledge and tools, and most importantly - compliance with safety regulations. If there is no self-confidence, it is better to entrust the task to a specialist.
It happens, if there is no tire, water and heating pipes are used instead. But such a solution will cause corrosion of the pipes with their subsequent leakage. And if the insulation is broken, then the pipes can, in turn, strike with an electric current.
Damage to wiring and heating elements
In the absence of grounding, any breakdown can lead to accumulation of charge on the drum. First of all, you need to find out what caused the breakdown - cable damage or damage to the heating element.
Procedure:
- Diagnostics. Disconnect the back wall by unscrewing the bolts. Having removed the cover, inspect the wiring in order to identify defects - kinks or damage. If everything is in order, proceed to the inspection of the heater. The location of this item depends on the brand of CMA. In the Samsung, Ariston, Indesit typewriters, the heater is located in the rear, and in the AEG, Bosch and Siemens in the front.
- Testing. To check the health of the heater, use a multimeter. The wires are disconnected from the heating element, the tester is put into resistance mode. The switch is set to 200 ohms. The probes touch the contacts of the heating element. If the tester shows a resistance in the range of 20-30 ohms, then the heater is OK. A value of 1 and 0 indicates a malfunction. “1” indicates an open circuit, and “0” indicates a short circuit.
- Breakdown test. Even if the heating element is serviceable, it can be broken, it is necessary to check this moment. Between the tubes of the heater and its walls is a dielectric material. It is necessary to check the element itself for a breakdown. On the tester, the buzzer mode is set and with one probe touch the terminals of the heater, and the second - its case. If there is no sound signal - the item is serviceable, the appearance of a squeak signals a breakdown. Heater repair is not provided - it just needs to be replaced with a new one.
How to prevent electric shock?
If the SMA is in good condition and all its elements are intact, it is necessary to prevent electric shock. For this, intervention in the house electrical network is necessary. Protection Methods:
- They include an RCD (residual current device) in the network. The rated load current of the protective range is 10–30 mA. RCD trips with the smallest leakage. In old houses, with two-wire wiring, it is more difficult to put an RCD. The machine will operate too often - you will have to regularly turn on the power on the shield.
- Creating a system that balances the potentials of electrical appliances.
- Checking the health of the ground. It happens that even grounded SMA are shocking. This may be due to damage to the ground wire. It is necessary to find the place of the cliff and eliminate it.
How not to act?
Those who are going to independently fix the malfunctions associated with the breakdown of electric current to the drum should understand the issue. Many craftsmen, in search of advice, turn to forums, draw knowledge on the Internet. Among the tips, there are often fundamentally incorrect recommendations.
Incorrect tips and explanations to them:
- Tip - if there is no grounding, turn the plug over and insert the plug into the outlet, and lay a rubber mat on the floor. In fact, this method stops only a few strokes, not excluding electric shock.
- Tip - disable the surge protector. Not true - turning off the filter does not eliminate the danger.
- Tip - Connect the ground wire from the AGR to the pipe or battery. This is dangerous - such a decision can lead to a strong blow.
Electric shocks - even the smallest ones, can lead to serious consequences. If the drum began to beat with electric current, it is necessary to turn off the AGR and not turn it on until the cause of the malfunction is eliminated.