Why does the washing machine cord get hot?
If the washing machine cord gets hot, you cannot ignore it. It is necessary to immediately disconnect the equipment from the power supply, or even better, turn off the power to the entire room. Only after the power supply to the machine and the outlet has been stopped can you begin diagnostics. It remains to figure out what led to the heating of the insulation and how to stop the problem.
The wire is broken or pinched.
The first thing you need to check is the cord itself. When the wire is completely broken, the equipment will not work - the electricity will not “reach” the control board. It is another matter if the cable is pinched by a heavy object, for example, if it accidentally gets under the foot of a washing machine or gets stuck in a door. Then, at the point of compression, contact will be broken, which will lead to heating of the insulation, first in the damaged area, and then along the entire length.
You cannot leave the wire in a pinched state. The insulation can break at any time, leading to a fire. It is better not to take risks and if you suspect heating, check the cord along its entire length.
Sometimes the cord gets squeezed for a long time, for example, during transportation or installation of a washing machine. Then the insulation failure can only be detected using a multimeter. You will have to turn on the buzzer mode and ring the cable along its entire length.
Determining the heating source
If the cord passes the test, then the diagnostics need to be continued. The next step is to determine what exactly is heating up: the cord, plug or socket. It is difficult to visually identify the cause of heating; it is easier and more effective to conduct an express test: connect the washing machine to another “point.” If after changing the “socket” the cable becomes hot again, it means the plug is faulty. The power plug becomes hot for three reasons:
- The contact between the wires and the plug contacts is broken,
- A manufacturing defect appeared,
- The contacts were oxidized, which led to impaired current exchange.
Modern washing machines are equipped with non-removable power plugs, so the plug cannot be repaired. Damage can only be corrected by replacement. Ideally, you need to change the entire power cord.
Sometimes it is not the plastic tip of the plug that heats up, but its external contacts. In this case, the socket is “to blame;” more precisely, the holes on it do not fit the fork “pins,” or the fixing “legs” are weakened. Due to the lack of a tight “grip,” current exchange deteriorates, leakage occurs, followed by heating. It is unsafe to adjust in such a situation - it is safer to install a new electrical point.
To prevent the situation from repeating itself, you need not only to know what to do, but also to choose the right replacement. Firstly, you need to buy branded components, considering the brand and serial number of the washing machine. Secondly, purchase goods from trusted suppliers. Thirdly, calculate the length of the cord in advance and avoid pulling or squeezing it.
Get rid of adapters.
The reason for the heating of the machine's power cord may also be the adapters used. It is not for nothing that manufacturers strongly recommend abandoning extension cords and adapters - it is unsafe to connect equipment to the electrical network through them. Especially such powerful energy consumers as washing machines. The machine requires a large amount of energy and a direct connection to the network. If the latter is not present, then the following problems will appear:
- Broken contact,
- Heating the fork,
- Damage to insulation up to and including fire.
It is worse if the machine is connected through an extension cord wound into a reel. Due to inductance, such a wire heats up faster, and the risk of fire increases. Even the best quality adapter will not provide a direct connection. If you cannot refuse the extension cord, then you must constantly monitor the temperature of the wire. The “reel” unwinds.
Also, the washing machine should be provided with high-quality electrical communications - a protected point, an individual RCD and grounding. Ideally, the wiring should be copper and of the appropriate cross-section. Aluminium cores are more ductile, soften more over time and fall out of contacts. As a result, the plug and socket constantly heat up. It is not safe to ignore the heating of the washing machine wire. To avoid causing a fire, you should immediately begin repairs - replace the power cord, plug, or socket.
