Caple Electrical Short or Earth Leakage

Freezer trips the household RCD or circuit breaker when plugged in or shortly after starting

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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 compressor windings to earth, Damaged mains cable, Moisture in defrost heater or wiring, Shorted internal component on PCB

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety critical: Do not repeatedly reset a tripping RCD. There may be a dangerous fault. Unplug the freezer immediately.

Basic checks:

  • 1. Inspect mains cable: Look for visible damage or crushed sections. Replace if any defect is found.
  • 2. Dry out appliance: If the trip occurred after heavy defrosting or a spill, allow the freezer to dry for 24 hours unplugged, then try again.
  • 3. Professional diagnosis: If tripping persists, a technician should perform insulation resistance tests on the compressor, heater, and wiring to locate the fault.

Note: Component replacement (compressor, heater, PCB) for earth leakage should be done by qualified personnel only.

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Repair Difficulty

Professional Required 5/5
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