Cooker fan oven tripping all electrics

[M Jones]

I have a problem where my cooker is tripping out all the electrics in the house when the oven is switched on. All the electrics tripped when i was using it last night after it had been on for about an hour. When i turned the cooker back on and turned on the oven everything tripped again. The other elements switch on ok and are not faulty or the cause as far as i can tell.

I have replaced the element in the main oven before. However, on that previous occasion after the initial trip when all the electrics went off, i could switch on the oven and the fan in the oven would work but i wouldn't get any heat (due to the element being blown). On this occasion i think it may be the fan blown because ANY power going to the oven is causing electrics to go.

Could this still be the element? Should i disconnect the element inside and turn the oven on to test it or could it be the fan motor causing the problem?

Thanks.

[ARWadsworth]

Yes, disconnect the element, put insulation tape over the leads and try the oven.

An element can burn out in a variety of different ways and could well be the problem.

[M Jones]

Thanks. I will try that.

[M Jones]

I have just removed the element and the oven fan worked. Looks like it's the element. Thanks.

I last replaced it just over 3 years ago. Does anybody know how long these things are supposed to last?

[ARWadsworth]

Yes. There are two main criteria for failure.

The first is that it must be out of warranty.

The second is that it must fail when you are having a dinner party.

Seriously, if you use the oven a lot and the replacement element is a copy not an original then 3 years is not a bad life expectancy.

I have heard it said that bad oven seals shorten the life of an element as it is has to work harder/longer to keep the oven hot.

Cheers

[M Jones]

Silly question of me to ask really when i think of it. It's like asking how long a light bulb will last...