Suspect Circuit Board Damaged after Power Outage on Wed 8apr

Tomato on 09/04/2020 - 17:37
Last edited 10/04/2020 - 23:25

Realised there was unplanned power outage yesterday evening across 3 eastern suburbs in WA after checking on Western Power website. Power out for abt 1hr.
Cut long story short, hence left out details of test done. Power has tripped (same switch on the Circuit Board) at least 7 times since yesterday and today.
We are now 99% sure circuit board issues/damaged after power outage yesterday.
Called WP earlier today and was advised they will only send someone over to check if we got electric shocks, other than that the issues with power tripping can happen after power outage and we will need to call in a certified electrician to check.
We thought that if CB is damaged due to power outage/surge, would be WP responsibility to replace? Anyone with similar experience or if any electrician here, appreciate any advice. Thanks.

Upon advice of a site electrician friend, we have determined it's our 10yo Westinghouse fridge tripping about every 15mins tonight. He reckons there might be some moisture from defrosting during the 1hr power outage. We will open the freezer panel and check it out tmr morning, nice project to do at home on a warm Easter Saturday, will keep posted.

Poll Options expired

  • 0
    -Western Power to replace Circuit Board
  • 12
    -Owner to callout electrician
  • 1
    -Owner to claim from WP after repairs
Home & Garden

Comments

  • AwesomeAndrew on 09/04/2020 - 17:46

    What type of circuit board is it? Most likely you will have to foot the bill of rapairs/replacement.

  • spackbace on 09/04/2020 - 18:08

    What's the circuit board switch related to? Maybe you've blown a lightbulb or something?

  • aussieprepper on 09/04/2020 - 18:14
    +5

    Some thing is overloading the breaker pulling to many amps. Try to unplug every thing in the house and plug them in one by one.

  • brendanm on 09/04/2020 - 18:34

    They should take your word that it's a power outage that causes the issue, and not an issue with one of your appliances? Perhaps do some basic troubleshooting as described by aussieprepper.

  • Stewardo on 09/04/2020 - 19:22

    Was it a rain storm that cut the power?

    • Tomato on 10/04/2020 - 00:19

      no, was an unplanned outage.

  • Davo1111 on 09/04/2020 - 21:45

    no evidence to suggest that their actions damaged your gear.

  • Tomato on 10/04/2020 - 00:23

    This is full details of why we think it's cause by the power outage/surge if u guys want a read. I had kept a record in case need to make a claim.
    Order of events on Wednesday 8Apr2020:
    -Realise power outage around 520pm, confirmed via WesternPower website.
    -Saw microwave turn on and off 2 times around 530pm, probably WP doing checks.
    -Power returned around 610pm, dad said to wait about 10mins before using appliances to make sure power is stable.
    -Fridge is on, mum went in to use shower, so gas HWS is working.
    -Dad using bore to water garden and pump suddenly lose power, dad thought pump was damaged.
    -I cooked dinner, induction cooker, so uses only power, no issues.
    -Pierre went in for shower around 740pm, complained no hot water, I check HWS, power was on but not activating.
    -Checked CB but did not trip?? Hence suspect HWS damaged. Turn off HWS at powerpoint.
    -Checked all powerpoints with voltage detector pen, all working ok.
    -We opened & closed garage door to go out at 8pm.
    -Arrived home 9pm, opened & closed garage door.
    -Dad woke up ard 12am and realised night lamp off, fan not working, power had tripped again, turned it back on.
    -Mum woke up ard 1am, Dad saw the night lamp went off again, power trip again but didn't bother to turn it on.
    -Dad woke up and turn on power ard 6am to check.
    -I turn on HWS at powerpoint ard 820am and hear it activated, ran hot water and heard it activated, so is working.
    -Mum ran washing machine, with hot water wash, power tripped after about 20mins into wash.
    -I turn it back on, set to wash with cold water only, but HWS power was still on at powerpoint.
    -Another 20mins in, power tripped again.
    -This time I turn off powerpoint of HWS, run washing machine again, power tripped again 20mins into wash.
    -Last run 30mins of washing, with fridge powerpoint turned off, successful run.
    Suspect Circuit Board/Breaker malfunction
    Called WP at 1117am, she asked to confirm if we have received any electric shocks/tingles. I said I have felt it person to person or sometimes on the door knob, this is probably static energy rather than electric shock. She said WP will send someone to check if there's electric shocks. However, for the above issues reported, it is quite normal when power returns after outage and if we are concerned, need to contact certified electrician.

    • aussieprepper on 10/04/2020 - 01:45

      Some appliances/items need a hard reset after a power outage.

      • Tomato on 10/04/2020 - 10:26

        what's a hard reset and how to do that?

  • Stewardo on 10/04/2020 - 01:26

    Interesting did you unplug hws dry the plug?
    Could be main earth connection to ground
    Or something has shorted out in power surge.
    Is it main circuit or only one power circuit?

    • Tomato on 11/04/2020 - 10:29

      it's the RCD that jumped, so we moved the fridge to plug in on 2nd row on CB, and the RCD tripped in 2nd row, hence it's the fridge causing it, so seems the power outage had damaged the fridge somehow. It's tripping every 20mins.

      • Stewardo on 11/04/2020 - 20:29

        Sounds like the fridge main board or the compressor is fried.
        Might be able to claim on house insurance if electric company won’t pay.

  • redfox1200 on 10/04/2020 - 08:54
    +1

    sounds like you need a new circuit breaker

  • Tomato on 12/04/2020 - 17:13

    We have narrowed it down to the heater element that's supposed to defrost the freezer compartment being damaged. After defrosting completely, the fridge runs for abt 3hrs before it trips again. Google search shows that heater element is notorious having issues in fridges. Now hv to wait to get a quote for changing the heater element instead of buying a new double door fridge.

  • Tomato on 03/05/2020 - 15:08

    Just providing an update here for future reference. We end up getting a local fridge repairer and he came and changed the heater element for $80+120callout. The repair guy admitted he hasn't changed one like our fridge before.
    I found the heater element on eBay for $75+15 and could have attempted to change it ourselves, not super difficult, just some patience and common sense.

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