The electric crêpe maker is tripping the circuit breaker – what should I check?
If, when you’re making pancakes, the circuit breaker trips before the first pancake even hits the pan, there’s definitely a problem. This could be caused by a faulty part, a damaged cable or a heating element that’s reached the end of its life.
THE CAUSES OF THIS FAULT:
WARNING
Before carrying out any work on your device, please ensure that you have unplugged it from the electric current.
Risk of electric shock.
A problem with the electrical installation
Before carrying out any work on the crepe maker, we recommend that you check the electrical installation. A faulty wall socket or incorrect installation may cause a disjunction as soon as the appliance is switched on, even if it is in good working order.
To check this, plug the crêpe maker into another working socket, preferably on a different circuit. If the appliance is working normally, the problem lies with the socket or the electrical circuit used initially.
The power cable is damaged
The power cable is one of the most exposed components. It may be bent, jammed or placed too close to the heating plate. Over time, the insulation can deteriorate and cause a short circuit or a current leak.
A melted, cut or stripped cable usually triggers an immediate trip to protect the user. A simple visual inspection along the entire length of the cable often allows the fault to be identified.
Find a power lead for my crêpe maker
A fault with the switch
The on/off switch can wear out over time, particularly due to heat and humidity. Even if it appears to be working properly, a loose connection may be enough to cause a circuit breaker to trip.
In this case, the power often cuts out when the appliance is switched on, or intermittently whilst in use. A faulty switch must be replaced to ensure the safe operation of the crepe maker.
Find a switch for my crêpe maker
The resistor is faulty
The heating element, also known as the heating coil, is the central component of the crepe maker. As it is subjected to high temperatures, it can deteriorate over time and cause an insulation fault.
A damaged heating element can cause a current leak to the metal casing, causing the circuit breaker to trip as soon as the appliance is switched on or after a few minutes of use.
Here are the steps for replacing the heating element:
- Start by remove the lower chassis from the crêpe maker,
- Set your multimeter to ohmmeter mode. Next, place a probe tip on the metal frame or earth terminal (green and yellow wire), then the other onto one of the power sockets of resistance,
- If no value is displayed, the resistor is properly insulated. However, if a value appears, this means that the the resistor is earthed and needs to be replaced.