spark when plugging in washer

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Stevenfyeager

Senior Member
Location
United States, Indiana
Occupation
electrical contractor
A customer plugs/unplugs their washer often for some reason, It arcs a little when you plug it in. My helper replaced the outlet and it still arcs a little he says. a two year old washer. He says it is not turned on when he plugs it in. After plugging it in, he hits the ' on' button for the display to show. I'm thinking it shouldn't arc with it turned off. Any idea ?
 

grich

Senior Member
Location
MP89.5, Mason City Subdivision
Occupation
Broadcast Engineer
If the On button is a momentary push button, you're probably charging the caps on a switching power supply for the control circuits. That will always be across the AC line. That's my guess.
 

synchro

Senior Member
Location
Chicago, IL
Occupation
EE
I'm guessing that there's a low voltage power supply for the control panel that is always on, at that is what's drawing the spark. The 'ON" and "OFF" buttons are most likely not a physical switch controlling the 120V AC directly, but just a digital input to a processor on a control board.
I see that grich had the same idea before I could post this.
 

roger

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Fl
Occupation
Retired Electrician
To the OP, take note of arcs when plugging in LV chargers.

Roger
 

FionaZuppa

Senior Member
Location
AZ
Occupation
Part Time Electrician (semi retired, old) - EE retired.
Does cust see or hear a spark. Usually hard to see a small spark in room/daylight.

Tell cust that's the free charge (power) from the poco, because poco knows when a washer is plugged in, and they are doing that as part of their "give back" program........... then take pic of cust face (or video it) ;)
or,
Tell cust to stand back 6ft when plugging it in, for safety reasons ;)
or
Tell cust to wear some ear muffs, the spark will then go away ;)
 
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