Modern homes rely on a steady supply of electricity to keep different home appliances up and running throughout the day. Most appliances do fine with continual power supply, provided they are in proper working condition. But when they have inherent issues or are overloaded, tripping issues may arise, more so the case with heavy appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines.
To prevent a dishwasher from blowing fuse, look for potential water leaks and fix them. If that doesn’t address the main problem, replace the heating element. Inspect the electrical wires that connect the various parts, replace damaged/worn wires, and most importantly, ensure a steady power supply.
Continue reading to know why your dishwasher keeps blowing fuse, how you can fix the problem, and what you can do to prevent this mishap from occurring in the first place.
Why Does Your Dishwasher Trip Electricity? And What Could You Do About It?
Faulty home appliances often take a toll on your main power supply, especially if they don’t have an in-built fuse to buffer the impact. Your dishwasher is no exception. Some of the common causes (for this issue) are:
- Erratic power supply
- Water leaks or damp surroundings
- Faulty or worn internal components
Finding the actual cause and fixing it would most likely address the tripping concerns. It’s any day better to check for and rule out the more apparent causes before delving into the mechanical aspects of the machine or getting more hands-on with the appliance.
Erratic Power Supply
A damaged or faulty power supply mechanism can cause your dishwasher to trip. You may have a problem with the plug top, wall socket, or even the power cable. Troubleshoot the issue in the following steps:
- Check if the plug is intact and whether the internal wiring is in place. Fix loose connections, if any.
- Look for frayed cable ends, especially the point at which it enters the plug. Replace the power cable if it is worn out or damaged.
- Remember to check the wall socket too. If there doesn’t seem to be an issue with the socket, plug another large home appliance into the power outlet to confirm the same.
Water Leaks
Your dishwasher could leak water if the water or drain pump is damaged or broken. If that’s the case, there is also the possibility of water getting accumulated at the base of the unit.
If the dripping or stagnant water comes in contact with any of the electrical components inside the dishwasher, it could cause the fuse to blow. Any traces of moisture or dampness that settles on the surface of the motor or other elements could also cause tripping.
Faulty or Worn Components
Multiple electrical and mechanical elements within a dishwasher could go bust or wear out over a period with continued use.
A faulty component is very much likely to cause an electrical trip. You could get to the root of the issue based on the point at which the trip is triggered during the wash cycle and how frequently it occurs. You will, however, have to disassemble the appliance and check how each component is interconnected. You would need a multimeter to check for electrical connectivity.
The problem could be with the heating element, water pump, drain pump, motor, internal wiring, or the door latch system.
To identify a faulty heating element or drain pump:
- Disconnect your dishwasher from the power source
- Unplug the electrical connectors of one component
- Plug back the dishwasher and check for a power outage
To check the door latch for faults, carefully remove the control panel and check power connectivity with a multimeter. Water seepage in the door seal could affect the door switch’s function, which would trigger a power cut.
Rule Out Interference
When multiple electrical appliances are at work at the same time, in the same physical environment, they are likely to cause interference, hampering the normal functions of one another.
The mains filter suppressor component within the dishwasher prevents the appliance from transferring interference to other devices. It also prevents fuses (at plug points and mains) from blowing out. Any damage or fault in this component, therefore, could be the root cause of the problem.
Check for Worn Internal Wiring
A dishwasher and its multiple internal components are electricity-powered. Checking the integrity of the internal wires is, therefore, a must to prevent electrical faults.
Connectivity, frayed edges, wear and tear, and physical damage all need to be checked and suitably fixed. Torn or molten wire can trip the mains off if it comes in contact with any earthed elements or even the dishwasher frame.
Assess the Condition of the Terminal Block
The terminal block of your dishwasher serves as a hub for the unit’s internal wires and also connects the appliance with the power mains of your home. It can get damaged or worn out with use. And being a mini power hub, it needs to be repaired or replaced to prevent home electricals from tripping.
How Do I Know If My Dishwasher Fuse Is Blown
To determine if your dishwasher’s fuse is blown, first ensure the dishwasher is unplugged. Access the fuse, typically located inside the dishwasher’s panel or door. Remove the fuse and inspect it visually; a blown fuse will often have a broken or discolored filament. For a definitive test, use a multimeter set to continuity mode; no reading indicates a blown fuse.
What if the Dishwasher Keeps Blowing Thermal Fuse on the Control Board?
The thermal fuse protects the dishwasher’s control panel when there is a short circuit in internal wiring. It cuts off the power supply to the controls, making it impossible to operate the unit without fixing the issue. This safety device also prevents faulty components from tripping the mains of your house. It could even blow up when the pump or heating element fails.
If the thermal fuse on your dishwater blows up, make sure the connections at the junction box are in place. Once you rule out that possibility, check for faulty components. Also, inspect whether your heating element is in good shape.
Any loose wires or electrical connectivity issues are likely to build up excess heat within your appliance, causing the thermal fuse to go off. Check the internal wiring thoroughly, replace the thermal fuse, and try using the dishwater again.
Replace the Thermal Fuse
The thermal fuse is located on the control panel fixed to your dishwasher’s door. You can access the control panel by removing the screws from the inner door panel. To replace the thermal fuse:
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on August 24, 2020.
- Remove the damaged thermal fuse, disconnect the wires, connect them to the new thermal fuse, and put it back in place.
- Fit the inner door panel back and power the unit. The display panel will be activated, and you may now check whether the control panel responds to commands.
If you have a Whirlpool dishwasher and need thermal fuse replacement instructions specific to the brand, check out this video:
Safety Precautions When Trying to Fix a Faulty Dishwasher
Troubleshooting and fixing a faulty dishwasher is by no means a simple task as:
- The unit is large (unlike your blender, toaster, or ice cream maker)
- It has several internal components that need to be inspected
- The internal wiring needs to be handled safely and carefully
- Trial and errors may prove expensive unless you know what you are doing.
Always replace faulty units with manufacturer-recommended spares, for best results. Also, remember to switch off the power supply and unplug the unit before inspecting it.
Alternatively, you can avail repair and maintenance services from company-authorized technicians or directly from the manufacturer itself.
Final Thoughts
Dishwashers can cause home electricity mains to trip if any of its internal parts get worn out or develops connectivity issues. If you are confident of fixing the problem yourself, make sure you have all safety precautions in place. However, if the appliance is relatively new, or is still under warranty, lodge a service request with the manufacturer to avail the warranty benefits.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on August 24, 2020.
While you can troubleshoot and fix minor issues with a dishwasher, repairing and replacing its various components are best left to professionals.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on August 24, 2020.