Dryer troubleshooting help

[slash007]

I have a Ryko Thrust Pro dryer and one of the dryers keeps tripping the breaker. It sometimes will work for a few seconds after a reset, and sometimes a few hours. What should I check for first? Not sure where to start, haven't had any dryer motor issues yet. Thanks.

 

[Greg Pack]

It's pretty much the same as any other motor. Check all connections, including inside the breaker panel. If you have a clamp on make sure all three legs are pulling the same amperage and that it is within specs on the plate, listen for a possible bad bearing, and swap the breaker with another to see if the problem follows the motor.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

I can picture a bad contact in the contactor causing it to single phase and trip.

 

[slash007]

I can picture a bad contact in the contactor causing it to single phase and trip.

That would be an easy fix if true. I'll check the voltages and swap contactors. Thanks.

 

[Ryko CS]

It could also be a loose connector in the j-box on the dryer where the inbound cable connects.

 

[sparkey]

Get yourself a megger and check the windings of the motor.

 

[John J Spokas]

Get yourself a megger and check the windings of the motor.

If it was the windings wouldn't the motor trip the CB in the same amount of time every time?
Slash states that sometimes it will run for several hours without tripping and other times it is immediate so I think most likely there is an intermittent loose connection which usually is an old and beat up contactor but could be any loose connection between the power source and the motor. And probably only after the power is distributed to that particular motor circuit.