Patent ID: 6593767
Filing Date: 2003-07-15
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A current leak detection method for a washing machine provided with an electric motor, an inverter circuit driving the electric motor and a voltage doubler rectifier circuit supplying driving power to the inverter circuit and including two capacitors having a neutral point connected to a grounded side of an AC power supply, the voltage double rectifier circuit having a ground potential set to be equal to a ground potential of an internal circuit of the washing machine, the washing machine comprising an outer cabinet having a potential set at a value differing from the ground potential of the internal circuit thereof, the method comprising detecting, during non-energization of the motor, a voltage generated in a voltage-dividing resistor provided between a power input side of a winding of the motor and a ground on the internal circuit, thereby detecting current leak produced between the motor and the outer cabinet of the washing machine.