Beco fridge-freezer fires.

[Graham.]

anyone know the exact failure mode of the defrost timer, and specifically if connecting to a non RCD protected circuit greatly increases the risk of fire?

[Andy Burns]

LFB's version gives more detail than Beko's

if (as it says) the malfunction takes place in a component surrounded by plastic and insulation, an RCD might not detect a fault anyway.

[Peter Parry]

Almost certainly it is condensate getting onto the switch and causing corrosion on the switch contacts. The corrosion increases the resistance of the switch which overheats under normal load and catches fire.

It will probably make no difference at all. The fridge will be drawing its normal current (or a bit less) and there will be no leakage to earth (at least before the fire develops).

[Tim Streater]

Well now. We have one of the affected models. But a quick check of the serial number shows it was manufactured in 2009 so looks like we're OK.