Household appliances should not be dangerous to humans. After all, devices are created to make our life easier. The washing machine is no exception. Such equipment is present in almost every home. However, problems may arise when using the washing machine. What to do if household appliances are shocked during operation or at the end of the cycle?
Why household appliances are electrocuted
Many appliances in the house can be electrocuted. This applies not only to washing machines, but refrigerators, electric kettles, dishwashers and so on. Why are household appliances electrocuted?
The main reason is electrical leakage to the device case. If the washing machine is electrified, then you should seek help from specialists. Perhaps the problem lies in:
- Defective wiring. If there is such a breakdown, then it is not safe to operate household appliances. If a damaged cable comes into contact with the body of the device, someone could be seriously injured. To fix the breakdown, you should carefully inspect the wiring inside the washing machine.
- Dampness in the room. There is a lot of moisture in the bathroom. Water is known to be a good conductor. If you touch the body of the washing machine with wet hands, you may feel a tingling sensation. This is a completely normal phenomenon that occurs with almost every model of such household appliances. It is worth noting that new washing machines are shocked much more often than old ones. The manufacturers are to blame. They do not take into account that many homes lack grounding.
- Breakdown of the engine or heating element. These parts of the washing machine may be damaged. In the event of a breakdown, a breakdown often leaves the device case. To fix a breakdown, it is necessary to quickly replace the damaged element with a new one.
Lack of grounding
In many homes, the wiring is not grounded. Modern household appliances are designed for the fact that part of the current will go through the case from the capacitors of the device. If grounding is not provided in an apartment or house, then gradually an insignificant charge will accumulate. As a result, the user will feel a slight tingling sensation when touching the washing machine.
You can fix the problem. For this, grounding should be done. In a private home, this will not cause much difficulty. But in apartment buildings made according to the old layout, there are no grounding terminals in the shields.
See also - What to do if the washing machine tears the laundry?
Correcting damage
The washing machine often has an electric shock due to faulty wiring. You can fix the problem yourself. To do this, it is worth removing the cladding, and then carefully inspecting all the wires, as well as the contact connections.
If the wiring is damaged, then experts recommend insulating a section of the cable. For this, you can use shrink material or electrical tape. If the cause of the malfunction lies in the malfunction of the heating element or the engine, then they should be replaced.If you do not know how to do this, then you should seek help from specialists.
Protection methods
To prevent the washing machine from being shocked, it is worth making grounding. Also eliminate all faults in the unit itself. Experts recommend protecting yourself by doing the following:
- By installing a residual current device of 30 or 10 mA. At the slightest leakage of electricity, an RCD will work. If the washing machine starts to be currents, then the automation will work on the dashboard and the power just turns off. It is worth installing this only on a three-wire electrical wiring. Otherwise, the RCD will trip very often. You will have to constantly walk and turn on the automation. In such situations, it is recommended that you install a power outlet with a residual current device.
- Regular checks of the integrity of the ground should be done. This is required for the safety of the user. In some cases, equipment shocks even when grounded. This could indicate damage to the conductor. The grounding cable should be checked and repaired regularly.
If you experience an unpleasant sensation when you touch the mixer or while washing your hands, you should immediately turn off the power in the bathroom and start looking for the problem. It is strictly forbidden to look for a fault when there is a voltage in the network.
Errors in troubleshooting
Many inexperienced technicians make many mistakes when fixing problems. If the washing machine is electrocuted, then the problem should be solved immediately, as people may be injured. What shouldn't you do?
- If your home does not have a grounding cable, reversing the plug in the outlet will not help. A bath mat made of rubber will not save you from electric shocks. You can do these methods as much as you like, but they still won't fix the problem. The problem still remains.
- Disconnect the mains filter of the device. It is this element that directs some of the electricity to the body of the washing machine. Many people believe that disabling this filter will save the user from problems. It also doesn't solve the problem. The device may be electrocuted less frequently.
- Lead the grounding cable to the battery or to the riser. This is strictly prohibited. This grounding method is dangerous.
If household appliances are regularly shocked, then you can turn to qualified specialists for help. They will quickly find the cause of the malfunction and fix it. If you do not have sufficient knowledge, then entrust the organization of grounding in the house to an experienced electrician.
See also:
- 10 best built-in washing machines
- 10 best washing machines under 15,000 rubles according to customer reviews
- 10 best washing machines under 25,000 rubles according to customer reviews
- 13 best washing machines from 40,000 to 50,000 rubles according to customer reviews
- 14 most reliable washing machines
