Washing Machine arcing to ground

[kbrod7]

Odor of burning rubber in Laundry Room led to an unusual discovery. Spare stainless steel braided laundry hose was hanging off of 1/2" copper pipe behind washer. The lower section of it rested just off the rear panel of the washing machine. Electricity was arcing off the machine rear panel, into the stainless cover, and sizzled a hole in the cover which burned up the rubber hose. Obviously pipe / hose acting as ground but why the spark when the machine is shut off? 120V receptacle tested fine for hot / neutral / ground with respect to each other.

Somewhat (un?)related, washing machine receptacle is showing 110V with no load, 105 V under load. The adjacent bathwoom receptacle (different circuit) shows 110V with no load, 101V with hair dryer plugged in. The Laundry receptacle shows 105 V when the hair dryer is plugged into the Bathroom circuit. Why would a separate circuit have an effect on another circuit?

 

[jumper]

These questions really should be addressed to an electrician employed to look into the problem.

That said:


I am closing this thread, in accordance with the Forum rules. This Forum is intended to assist professional electricians, inspectors, engineers, and other members of the electrical industry in the performance of their job-related tasks. However, if you are not an electrician or an electrical contractor, then we are not permitted to help you perform your own electrical installation work.


If I have misjudged the situation, if for example this project is related to your work, then send me a Private Message. If you can show me that I am wrong, and that you are a licensed electrician (or at least a licensed apprentice), then I will reopen your post, and offer an apology for the delay and inconvenience.