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Coffee machine that keeps tripping

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Last Post by Mars 4 years ago

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Mars

(@editor)

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Topic starter 23/03/2022 9:16 am

We have a Jura Z7 coffee machine and I've had to stop using it because it occasionally trips the circuits in the kitchen/dining zone, which is a real hassle because that's where our WiFi is connected, and when that goes off, it takes me forever to reinitialise some of our smart home tech.

I thought it might be attributed to load so I unplugged and switched off every appliance in this zone (apart from our WiFi router) thinking it would be fine, and it still tripped. The irritating thing is that it can run fine for 5 or 6 days (we turn it on in the morning and off in the afternoon), and then for some inexplicable reason it trips the circuits. There is no consistency to it. And it can trip everything even before it has been used. I also know it's the coffee machine that's responsible for tripping the circuit, because this only occurs when it's on.

Thoughts, ideas and suggestions welcome.

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batalto

(@batalto)

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23/03/2022 9:36 am

just but a breaker between the machine and wall socket? Something like the below might work well

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unicom-53637-Circuit-Breaker/dp/B002K67KAA

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Derek M

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23/03/2022 4:14 pm

Posted by: @editor

We have a Jura Z7 coffee machine and I've had to stop using it because it occasionally trips the circuits in the kitchen/dining zone, which is a real hassle because that's where our WiFi is connected, and when that goes off, it takes me forever to reinitialise some of our smart home tech.

I thought it might be attributed to load so I unplugged and switched off every appliance in this zone (apart from our WiFi router) thinking it would be fine, and it still tripped. The irritating thing is that it can run fine for 5 or 6 days (we turn it on in the morning and off in the afternoon), and then for some inexplicable reason it trips the circuits. There is no consistency to it. And it can trip everything even before it has been used. I also know it's the coffee machine that's responsible for tripping the circuit, because this only occurs when it's on.

Thoughts, ideas and suggestions welcome.

Hi Mars,

Is it tripping the Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) for the ring main or the Electric Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB)?

If it is the MCB that is tripping then that would indicate some form of short circuit between Live and Neutral causing an overload.

If it is the ELCB that is tripping then that would indicate a leakage current from Live or Neutral to Earth.

The fact that the tripping is intermittent is probably due to some form of water leakage into the electrics of the unit. I would suggest unplugging the unit and removing any covers that are apparent, then look for signs of water leakage/staining. It could be possible that a seal is leaking, which it may be possible to replace if spares are available.

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Mars

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Topic starter 23/03/2022 8:19 pm

@derek-m, I appreciate the comment, but I'm afraid I don't know the difference between the Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) or the Electric Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB)? I'll take a photo and share it tomorrow.

I did think about taking the covers off and having a look, but the screws have a weird shape to them and none of my attachments fit it it to open them. Will post a photo of those too.

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Derek M

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23/03/2022 8:38 pm

Posted by: @editor

@derek-m, I appreciate the comment, but I'm afraid I don't know the difference between the Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) or the Electric Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB)? I'll take a photo and share it tomorrow.

I did think about taking the covers off and having a look, but the screws have a weird shape to them and none of my attachments fit it it to open them. Will post a photo of those too.

Hi Mars,

Just Google MCB and ELCB to see the difference. One easy way to spot the difference is that the ELCB will probably have a Test button.

The screw heads may be TORX, a screwdriver set can be obtained quite easily, just ask Mr. Google.

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Mars

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Topic starter 24/03/2022 5:25 pm

@derek-m – this is the guy that keeps tripping.

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Derek M

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24/03/2022 6:10 pm

@editor

Hi Mars,

I assume that the item in question is the MCB for the downstairs ring main. It is rated at 32A, so either the MCB is developing a fault, or a current of 32A or greater is flowing for a period of time. Since your coffee maker should not draw more than a maximum of approximately 5.6A, it is either drawing excess current or it is the final straw which broke the camel's back.

To confirm that it is the coffee maker that is at fault, you could try plugging it into an upstairs electrical socket, which should be on a different ring main, and hence should cause a different MCB to trip.

Whilst unplugged, I would suggest checking the supply cable for any signs of wear or damage and water ingress. Also check the internals of the unit for any damage that may be allowing water to leak into the internals.

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Mars

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Topic starter 24/03/2022 9:56 pm

@derek-m, good suggestion. I'm going to hook it up up stairs where there's virtually nothing drawing power and see what happens. I'll try and get around to it this weekend – there's just a small matter of wheelbarrowing 4 tonnes of compost to the vegetable garden that's going to take priority.

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