Beko Tumble Dryer DTLCE80021W cutting out/tripping RCD

[spleenharvester]

This dryer is several years old and has previously had a new motor cap. Currently it's behaving erratically - sometimes it finishes the cycle fine, other times it cuts out after a random period of time (just stops with no LEDs as if it has finished normally), and occasionally it trips the RCD. There's always steam coming off the clothes at the time it cuts out.

Going to pull it apart tomorrow, before I lob a new heating element at it is there anything else worth checking? It's £70 for a new heating element and the whole machine only cost £180 to begin with...

Cheers

[stj]

no leakage,
tumble dryer elements are just springs mounted through mica spacers.
they arent encased.

[petehall347]

clean filters and anything else that should be cleaned

[stj]

check the airflow path to make sure nothing has come unsealed allowing damp air into the main body of the machine

[spleenharvester]

Thanks both, will double check

[CapLeaker]

Check the heating element for leakage. You need a insulation tester for that.

[stj]

no leakage,
tumble dryer elements are just springs mounted through mica spacers.
they arent encased.

[petehall347]

there might be a problem with the sensor causing it to stop early .wouldnt cause the tripping though . what's really needed is a ma clamp meter to check leakage . rcd tripping could be something else on that circuit . what ma is the rcd ?

[spleenharvester]

Pulled it apart today, the load bearing(!) mica at the far end had collapsed under the weight of the spring. Bit disconcerting to know 1600W of heating element is held in place by mica paper, not to mention that it costs £65 for a replacement, but hey ho.

[stj]

i'm not sure that explains the RCD tripping though.
not unless the spring dropped onto the body of the dryer.

[spleenharvester]

Yeah I'm not sure why it would trip the RCD either actually, I don't see any way it could have made contact other than arcing perhaps.

I am going to replace it anyway on the basis that it has literally imploded, but I suppose if it doesn't fix it the next suspect will be the PCB? There's no mains filter on this model, at least not a discrete one, so I assume it is mounted onto the mainboard somewhere. Might lift it out and have a close look.

E: Just lifted the board out. Part number 2982740900, which returns absolutely no results on google at all. I don't see anything untoward, a few shitty solder joints but nothing that should be tripping an RCD.

[spleenharvester]

Replaced the element today, done three cycles and touch wood haven't had any cutting out or nuisance tripping.

[spleenharvester]

Spoke too soon, after a few weeks of working fine it's cutting out again, it seems to be losing power very briefly as I am finding it just sat there with the mode select LED lit, and it starts again as soon as the start button is pressed no problem... not sure what else to try at this point other than just replacing the mainboard

[petehall347]

could it be the house power sometimes dropping ? i get this from time to time and notice i have to reset my battery chargers

[stj]

thats unlikely, but i wonder if it has a capacitive dropper psu.

[spleenharvester]

Fault with the wiring is possible as it's a bit of a mess, but the washing machine is running fine and that's on the same radial.

There's no interference filter on this machine either, the only bit of AC to DC circuitry I can find is here. I am wondering if maybe that small transformer has a problem with its windings, but since it is probably a custom wind I imagine I'll have to replace the whole board



If the fault isn't the board then pretty much the only electrical part I haven't ruled out is the motor I think

[stj]

a recap wouldnt cost much - use decent ones
maybe it's marginal and the psu is glitching

[stj]

just to clarify,
the device is resetting itself, your not tripping an RCD anymore?

[petehall347]

when it cuts out are the clothes still wet ?

[spleenharvester]

Yes haven't had any RCD trips since replacing the element, I haven't seen the exact moment it does it but it seems to just be resetting.

Clothes are wet and steam coming off when it stops

[petehall347]

any error codes displayed ?