Why is our oven is tripping the electrics?
Posted by Toobrish@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 12 comments
Our oven is tripping the RCD when it heats up. The display, bulb and fan all work fine, but not heating up. If we set the thermostat to zero and turn on the fan oven, all is fine, but as soon as we turn the thermostat it trips the electrics. I thought it might be the thermal cutoff but using a multi-meter it seems to have continuity. There are no signs of any loose wires inside so looking for any other suggestions.
Vespa_Alex@reddit
Failed heating element. Usually a straightforward swap for a competent DIYer
Toobrish@reddit (OP)
Good call. Element replaced for £13 and it’s all working now
Chicken_shish@reddit
Usually it is the element. Elements are made of an earthed metal tube, with alumina or ceramic lining it, and the actual heating wire in the middle. Over hundreds of heating/cooling cycles the ceramic degrades ('due to thermal expansion mainly, and some bit of the wire will contact the tube when it gets red hot.
Just done both elements on our grill, visually they are fine, but replacing them has fixed the tripping problem.
IBuyGourdFutures@reddit
Normally build up of oil/grease in the element creates a small short, hence RCD trips.
Tango91@reddit
Check that there's no burnt food etc in contact between the heating element and the oven walls, that sounds like there's something causing a short to ground
Toobrish@reddit (OP)
I think you could be right. We just disconnected the main element and the problem went away. ordered a new element for £13
stupre1972@reddit
You have done all of the diagnostic work here and failed to see the conclusion. The heating element has, in all probability, blown.
It isn't massively expensive, is usually a simple thing to change, but can be awkward to get at.
If you are not comfortable trying, call a sparky who will do it all for you.
reddog_72@reddit
Probably the heating element needs replacing, had a few go on me in the past, always trip the electric as they start to heat up. It will depend on the make, model, and age of the oven as to how easy it would be to replace.
jeminar@reddit
I had a gas oven that did this. Being gas, it had a traditional 240v socket for incidentals like clock, spark and hotplate. Was driving me mad.
I put a voltage smoother (like for computer) that was rated 13A and never had the problem again.
To this day, I have no idea what was causing the problem and why this solved it, but it's been fine for over 10 years now.
Obviously, if your cooker is electricity for cooking, this comment is not to be followed.
MrNippyNippy@reddit
RCD tripping is a leak to earth from memory.
I’m sure there’ll be people here with far better knowledge but to be honest unless the oven is a very expensive one you may well be cheaper replacing it than calling a spark/oven repair.
ashyjay@reddit
Call a sparky.
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