Dishwasher Mains Capacitor......... *BANG*

Third line was typed with an Ohm symbol (horseshoe thing) at the end - not question mark. Ditto last line should be 40 deg C. Evidently the Windows character map doesn't get on too well with usenet.... :o)

Same has happened to me. I didn't know about it until I opened the dishwasher casing for another reason, and found the burned out remains of the thing. In my case, it was before the mains switch, powered all the time, and possibly did it when I was not in.

I wouldn't bother, unless you find the dishwasher interfering with the radio. Obviously, you must leave the connections to it safe.

As you say it is a mains filter unit. These type of filter capacitors are called X and Y class or type. The X is between the line and neutral, and the Y's are one from each line to earth.

Your device spec above gives: X capacitor is of value 0.15 uF Y capcitors are 0.027 uF each.

In your example the capacitors are all in one unit, but they could be separate. For safety and ease of replacement its probably best to get a manufacturers spare from your local washing machine repair place.

Loads of info sites by entering 'Y class capicitors' in Google.

Roger R

Thanks Roger -

The lowest-rated capacitor at the spares site (tinyurl in earlier post) are

Do you happen to know what might be the consequences of using such a replacement? I'm guessing that it would be either an increased or reduced effectiveness in suppressing RFI/EMI?

Or, for a bonus point..... Do you know anyone who sells single Y Class

A suppressor doesn't actually carry the washing machine's current - all it's doing is absorbing any RF produced by the machine. The actual value is chosen by the manufacturer to give the best effect.

Try to get somewhere near the original value and you won't go far wrong, but make sure that they're rated for at least 250V AC !

You'll likely get something suitable from a white goods repair emporium The machine will likely work without a suppressor, but don't leave it too long, because the suppressor also reduces sparking at the motor brushes and other switching contacts.

No, they are not suppressor capacitors, they are motor start/run capacitors, which isn't what you want.

Nearest I can quickly find is:

I was about to suggest exactly this!

Thanks both, very much appreciated (and thanks to Roger as well)

As other posters have said, these are not the right thing at all, and quite unsuitable.

The Easy Fix shop doesn't appear to have a direct replacement item, though they do have some others under 'Washing Machine Mains Filter' these are probably going to be too awkward to fit.

As others have mentioned, the electronic component suppliers will have suitable individual X and Y capacitors, though probably not made up into an easily fitted 'plug in' replacement unit, and I would avoid fitting individual wire ended components in a washing machine where there is likely to be vibration and water about.

Roger R

CPC can also get you any Whirlpool spare part. You have to phone them though, as most of their white goods spares are not in their catalogue or on their website.

In message , Steve Walker writes

R S Components, Maplin s***ty-tronics (if they have anything in stock), Rapid Electronics, Farnell or indeed any good electronics supplier. You won't find 0.20uF caps, but you will find 220nF caps (0.22uF) They will have an AC voltage rating of either 250 or 275 volts.

There's a big difference between class X2 and class Y capacitors. X2 are for between live and neutral. Y are for live/neutral to earth where failure could cause a shock risk and tend to have very low values in the region of one or two nano Farad.

You can get complete filter modules that contain everything including series inductors and capacitors. These are rated by the load current.