Dishwasher Tripping The Electrics

Your dishwasher is tripping the RCD or circuit breaker — cutting power during or at the start of a cycle.

£80 – £200Medium Risk

What is this?

Dishwashers, like washing machines, combine water and high-current electrical components. When a dishwasher trips the electrics, the RCD has detected current leaking to earth — usually through water reaching an electrical component. The heating element that heats the wash water is the most common failure point, followed by the pump motor and the door seal.

Common causes

Heating element has degraded and is leaking current to earth through the water
Water leak from the door seal or internal hose reaching electrical connections
Pump motor insulation has broken down
Wiring inside the dishwasher has been damaged by heat or water
Flood protection (anti-flood) switch has activated due to a leak

Is it dangerous?

A dishwasher that trips the electrics should not be used until investigated. The combination of water and mains electricity inside the machine is potentially dangerous. Unplug the machine (or turn off the socket switch) and check underneath for any signs of water leakage. If there is standing water around the machine, be cautious turning off the socket — use the MCB at the consumer unit instead.

Can I fix it myself?

Check for visible water leaks under and around the dishwasher. Clean the door seal and filters, as debris can prevent the door from sealing properly. Note when the trip occurs during the cycle — this helps a repair engineer diagnose the fault. If the machine is under warranty, contact the manufacturer.

When to call an electrician

Call an electrician if you suspect the fault is in the socket or wiring rather than the dishwasher. If other appliances on the same circuit also cause trips, the issue may be the circuit or RCD. For faults within the dishwasher itself, an appliance repair engineer is more appropriate.

What will an electrician do?

Test the socket and circuit for faults

Check the RCD for correct operation and sensitivity

Test the dishwasher's earth and insulation resistance if accessible

Confirm whether the fault is in the machine or the fixed installation

Repair socket or wiring faults if applicable

Typical cost

£80 – £200

Electrician costs for circuit testing. Dishwasher repair by an appliance engineer is typically £60–£150 for element or pump replacement.

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Sources & References

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my dishwasher trip the RCD?

The heating element is the most common cause — as it degrades, it leaks current to earth through the water. Water leaks reaching electrical components are the second most common cause.

Can I keep using the dishwasher if it only trips sometimes?

No. An intermittent trip means the fault is developing and will get worse. Continuing to use it increases the risk of a more serious failure.

My dishwasher trips at the drying stage — why?

The drying stage uses the heating element at a higher temperature. This causes a weak or cracked element to fail more readily, creating the earth fault that trips the RCD.

Is it worth repairing or should I replace it?

If the dishwasher is under 5 years old, repair is usually worthwhile. Over 8 years old, replacement may be more cost-effective, especially if the element or motor has failed.

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