Dishwasher electric socket not working

[OM2]

The dishwasher socket has stopped working.

The dishwasher stopped. After diagnosing, I found the socket had no power.

Wondering what I should do?
Is there a fuse inside of the socket?

Should I investigate further to check there is no damage to the wiring?

I've never used an electric screwdriver... but I've seen them used to check for electricity. Should I take a crash course (5 minutes) on how to use and check this out?

Thanks.

 

[JohnD]

Is there a fuse inside of the socket?

No.

 

[JohnD]

After diagnosing, I found the socket had no power.

How did you diagnose it?

Do all the other sockets work?

Post a photo of the socket, and of all nearby switches.

When was the kitchen wired?

What happens when you plug the dishwasher into a different socket?

 

[JohnD]

I've never used an electric screwdriver... but I've seen them used to check for electricity.

You don't mean a neon screwdriver do you?

Throw it in the bin.

 

[securespark]

It's possible that your socket is a spur off another, and there could be a loose connection in the socket where the cable to it is connected.

It's possible there is a switch above the worktop controlling the DW socket.

There could be a loose connection in the DW socket, or damage to the wiring or connections.

There are a few possibilities.

 

[ericmark]

You don't mean a neon screwdriver do you?

Throw it in the bin.

I would not put it that strongly, they do have there place. The standard socket tester also has some faults, and will not identify all faults, but likely better than the screwdriver.

So we start at the beginning, it's a very good place to start, the consumer unit (CU) this will normally have a load of devices, there are different ways of doing the same thing, but it will have some of these in most cases, up is normally on-down off-up, there is a feel to them, so if there is a fault MCB for example, switching it on/off you will feel a different resistance to the leaver.

Assuming they are all on, next we look for fused connection units, (FCU), spurs often come from these so it could have simply blown a fuse, the neon screwdriver uses your body as a return path, and needs to contact live parts, but other testers like this or even better this can show live without and contact with live parts, called a non contact voltage tester, mine also as shown can test using leads, or clamping over the wires, but being shown hear showing there is live at the extension socket.

Kitchen sockets are often supplied from a grid switch,

easy enough to in error to turn one off. Failing that, one can use one of these and do the dishes by hand, sorry could not resist it. I have tried to do it remotely, but can't get the darn ball tuned in, but point is pictures are good, we can only do so much, you need to do it, all we can do is point you in the right direction.

 

[ebee]

I may be a neandertal but I have never had a dishwasher. Whenever we have asks folks who do use them how they do it we always end up with the same opinion, less hassle to wash up the normal way.

Right, back to the plot - I think you might need someone qualified to take a peek, you might know a lot more about cars, or stocks and shares or dentistry or something far better than me so do not take my comments as an insult, just practical advice.

 

[SUNRAY]

You don't mean a neon screwdriver do you?

Throw it in the bin.

For heavens sake, these screwdrivers are very useful and have their place in the toolkit. Just because you are incapable of learning how to use them there is no need to be so negative towards them.

However in this case I would advise against it as It's likely to give a confusing diagnosis.

Right, back to the plot

In this instance I feel the best advice is

I think you might need someone qualified to take a peek,

 

[OM2]

Guys, thanks for the really helpful replies.

See below for a pic of the socket:

- Other sockets working fine.
- Consumer board has no switches down.
- Dishwasher works with extension - I plug the grey socket in the pic above and it works OK.
- No nearby switches within 1.5m.
- Socket is about 14 - 15 years old.
- Electric pen screw thing: will avoid. I've ordered a voltage testing non contact pen.

- "It's possible there is a switch above the worktop controlling the DW socket."
I don think so. Directly above the socket is the sink.

- "fused connection units,"
No, none nearby as described by you.

While I wait for the non contact voltage pen to arrive... I was thing of at least opening the socket? Maybe there's a loose connection?
The thing is... to get behind the socket is mission impossible as it's behind the kitchen units. So hoping the fix can be done just by replacing the socket.

Let me know what you think.
Thanks.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

While I wait for the non contact voltage pen to arrive... I was thing of at least opening the socket? Maybe there's a loose connection?
The thing is... to get behind the socket is mission impossible as it's behind the kitchen units. So hoping the fix can be done just by replacing the socket.

I wonder if the socket in your photo, might actually be an extension socket, which is plugged into a wall mounted socket - and that the fuse in the extensions plug has blown?

You should be able to get your hand over the back of that panel, and see where the failed socket is fed from.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

For heavens sake, these screwdrivers are very useful and have their place in the toolkit. Just because you are incapable of learning how to use them there is no need to be so negative towards them.

I made good use of one, throughout most of my working life, and I certainly wouldn't knock anyone who used one, but....

When the none-contact pens came along, I grabbed one with open arms. They are much brighter, compared to a dim neon, and of course work without making any contact, with practise can be used to determine much more than simple live or dead, they can detect missing neutrals and missing earths. Useful as they are, some frown upon their use.

 

[SUNRAY]

I made good use of one, throughout most of my working life, and I certainly wouldn't knock anyone who used one, but....

When the none-contact pens came along, I grabbed one with open arms. They are much brighter, compared to a dim neon, and of course work without making any contact, with practise can be used to determine much more than simple live or dead, they can detect missing neutrals and missing earths. Useful as they are, some frown upon their use.

I have carried neon screwdrivers for 50 years and used them to very good effect - my first came from Woolworths for 6D (2 1/2p), more recently they tend to be LED versions instead which also work on ELV - useful for much of my control panel faulting, additionally I find they work equally as well as the non contact pen albeit not as bright and no buzzer. They are also able to test continuity and tend to be my goto for checking fuses.

Yeah I hate it when those who are too lazy to learn to use a useful tool slag them off so rapidly. I wonder if they also haven't mastered a screwdriver and use a hammer?

 

[bernardgreen]

The problem with "neon screwdrivers" is the lack of knowledge and/or experience that is found is so many "part time" users.

They will blindly assume that no light ( in the neon ) means the circuit is not Live.

 

[JohnD]

See below for a pic of the socket:

The pic suggests water has been dripping onto the socket. I don't like to see a socket like that. When you have turned off the power, open it up and have a look inside.

 

[opps]

You don't mean a neon screwdriver do you?

Throw it in the bin.

I have a non contact neon screwdriver. I find it extremely useful. It has a green and red LED. It will occasionally give me false positives, but it has never given me a false negative.