Sparks under the washing machine when washing

Like a vacuum cleaner, and washing machine cannot be silent, so naturally, the device makes noise during washing. Moreover, this is also normal if the washing machine smells a little of plastic immediately after purchase. But if the washing machine sparks from below from under the bottom, as if the device is about to take off like a rocket, then this is a sign of a major malfunction that cannot be left to chance. In this case, conducting a thorough diagnosis and home appliance repair is necessary in case of a breakdown.

How does this technical anomaly manifest itself, and when is it the norm?

If it sparks under the washing machine during the work cycle, then first of all, you need to disconnect the device from the mains as soon as possible. In such a situation, the machine is dangerous to use and even to leave connected to electricity. Then, after de-energizing, you can start diagnosing. Usually, sparks signal problems in the operation of the washer, and they appear in different places.

• Almost always, sparking occurs when washing or spinning is actively in progress. Then sparks during washing will appear under the drum at the back of the washing machine, where the located electric motor is. Not only will the crackle be louder than in normally functioning equipment, but if you still turn off the light, a small firework will become visible. In addition to cod, the phenomenon accompanied by a pungent smell of burnt plastic and sparks can occur even behind the drum, which can be seen through the glass of the machine door.
• Much less often, sparks can appear at the top of the home assistant where the install control panel is. After such a device, it turns off, and it stops responding to commands, and an unpleasant burning smell forms in the room.

Sparking can occur due to natural wear of parts, wiring damage, and a short circuit in electronics. Due to the abundance of possible causes, only a household appliance repair specialist can accurately determine the problem. Therefore, in sparks, it is better to call the master immediately.

It is possible to independently understand that there is nothing wrong with sparks and cod, but only in two cases.

• If the automatic washing machine has recently been repaired, the electric motor or its brushes replaced in it,
• The washer is new, so it is just starting to enter normal operating mode.

 

Both of these situations indicate that sparking occurs due to the lapping brushes of the machine's engine. During assembly and repair, the installed parts were correct. However, the commutator and brushes require a short grinding period, during which the notorious crackling sparks occur.

Lapping is usually complete in a few washes but may occasionally require up to ten light cycles. But if sparks appeared during washing on old household appliances that no one repaired, the motor with brushes did not change. Then there is a breakdown in the machine.

There is a problem with the motor brushes.

Most of the washers are equipped with collector motors with graphite brushes that provide contact with the lamellas. The faster the rotation and the greater the load, the faster the brushes wear out. It is they who, due to active use, are erased and cease to contact normally with the collector, and then they begin to spark.

When the washing machine sparks from below, there is an audible crack, and in the dark, the sparks are a bit like fireworks, then the problem is most likely in the brushes. If you remove the back or side cover during sparking, which depends on the model of the washing machine - horizontal or vertical loading in it, then you can see sparks from the device's electric motor.

To eliminate malfunction, purchasing new brushes and replacing the damaged parts is necessary. For this operation, it is better to call a service center specialist so that he can change the elements of the machine. This procedure can cause difficulties because if the old washing machine sparks from below, you will also have to disassemble the motor with your hands, in which these brushes are hidden. There will be fewer problems with the new models of home assistants because it will be possible to do without disassembling the motor.

Detachment of engine lamellas

The contact surface of the commutator in contact with the brushes is called lamellae. During washing, they rotate, get very hot and gradually lose their smoothness. Washing without interruptions, and even with an overload of linen, provokes a serious overheating of the contact surfaces of the slats, after which the parts begin to deform and fail.

These plates can wear out and acquire a layer of soot. Due to these problems, there is poor contact between the brushes and the collector, the washer motor starts to spark, and the brushes knock on the lamella. The malfunction is easy to determine - turn the motor shaft with your hands. If the lamellas are badly damaged, you will hear clicks and other atypical sounds absent from the normally functioning electric motor of the machine.

We can eliminate this problem by completely replacing the engine or cleaning the lamellas. If the damage is minor, then the surfaces of the plates can be carefully treated first with sandpaper and then with felt. That will restore the details of their smoothness and uniformity of the contact field. However, the lamellas are badly damaged. In that case, it is impossible to repair them, so you will have to purchase a new washing machine motor since equipment manufacturers do not sell separate spare parts for repairs.

Heating element problem

If the heating element is to blame, then sparking occurs due to its short circuit. However, they may hide the problem of poor-quality contact in the wires due to oxidation or soot and damage to the water heating element. If it turns out, the washer will immediately stop heating the water. But if the heater is a little short, it continues to work with sparks. Also, at the same time, it can activate the protection of the RCD, difavtomat or automatic machine on the power line of the washing machine.

To determine that the problem is explicitly related to the heating element, it is enough to see your eyes sparks or a glow at the bottom of the machine's tank, which can be seen through the hatch glass. There may also be an unpleasant smell of burnt plastic or wiring. In rare situations, the device will independently activate the residual current device or machine.

We cannot repair a damaged heating element, so a replacement part is necessary to fix the problem. As in the case of replacing brushes, to replace the heating element, we recommend that you call the wizard so that he independently diagnoses and determines whether a replacement part is needed. In rare cases, the home assistant may spark due to poor-quality contact with the water heater wiring. Then the specialist will clean the connections and tighten the fasteners of the heater.