Kärcher
Electrical Short or Earth Leakage
Unit trips the household circuit breaker or RCD when switched on.
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Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
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Possible Causes
Shorted vacuum motor, Water ingress into electrical components, Damaged power cord insulation, Faulty heater element (on heated models)
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Do not repeatedly reset the breaker. Unplug the unit and keep it unplugged until the fault is found.
- Check for moisture: Inspect the unit for signs of water ingress into the motor or electrical compartments. Allow to dry completely if recently exposed to water.
- Inspect power cord: Look for cuts or crushed areas on the power cable. Replace if any copper is exposed or insulation is damaged.
- Test components: With a multimeter, check the vacuum motor and heater element (if fitted) for shorts to earth. Replace any component with low resistance to ground.
- Examine PCB: Look for obvious shorts or burn marks on the control PCB. Replace if damaged.
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Repair Difficulty
Professional Required
5/5
Required Part
Heater Element
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