Hi,

I just got a used La Pavoni Europiccola and am having the following electrical problem:

The machine turns on on level I, but after about 5 minutes it not only shuts off but 'resets' the outlet that it is plugged into. If I hit the switch for level II, it cuts the power out from that outlet instantly.

I am a total novice when it comes to electrical matters generally and to the electrical situation in the Pavoni.

Does anybody have any ideas?

Thank you so much in advance.

Sounds like water induced shorts in the ends of the heating elements. Can be diagnosed with an ohmmeter and generally repaired with some patience.

When you say "resets" do you mean that the outlet has a button labeled "TEST" and one labeled "RESET", and the "RESET" button pops out?

If so, that isn't a circuit breaker - it's a GFCI outlet, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt, and it's a good idea to have these in the kitchen or any other potentially wet area.

If the GFCI is tripping, it means that power is leaking somehow; that is, there is a circuit, between the hot and neutral (the flat blades on the outlet). In a properly wired device, the current on the hot conductor equals the current on the neutral conductor. If there is a leak to ground (a potentially unsafe situation) then this current won't be balanced and the device will trip.

Make sure all the electrical connections in your machine are dry, properly made, no bad insulation; it could be a bad switch, bad wire, bad element.

Good luck tracking down this problem.

Thank you both for your replies (and hopefully continued help and patience!) I went to the store today and got a "digital multimeter." Now, I'm not sure how to test for these issues (with the multimeter or on the pavoni). I am definitely in need of guidance! Thank you so much!

And yes, that was what I meant by "resets!"

Also, the unit is a 220v- is this a problem for use in the US? I'm checking everything and it seems like the only part of the machine to not register ohms at all is the switch..

zapavoni wrote:Also, the unit is a 220v- is this a problem for use in the US? I'm checking everything and it seems like the only part of the machine to not register ohms at all is the switch..

220V is not a problem in the US...if you run it on 220!
What is the history of this unit? Was it modified for 120v operation? What kind o plug is on it?

An ohmmeter on the right scale measuring the the element could tell me if the element was converted (assuming there is such a conversion - I know nothing about these machines but understand the concepts involved).

Also you need to look for any leakage between any of the electric terminals and ground, or the case.

And I hope it goes without saying, but don't plug it in with the case open. Them volts can kill.

ianae.

Alright guys, I got the ohmmeter and the switch wasn't giving me any reading so I ordered on from Orphan Espresso and installed it today (Thanks for the speedy shipment!) and I'm still having the same problem- plugging the machine into the wall causes the outlet reset button to pop out and power to cut from the source. The machine does say 220v on the underside but has an american 3 prong plug. Please help! What can I check next?? How can I accurately identify and correct the problem? Thank you so much! Please reply!

Still sounds like a short. Remove wires from element and test element terminal to boiler base or machine base. Any ohm reading means short circuit. Test element and apply ohm reading into Ohm's law equation to verify voltage rating of the machine.

Hi Orphan Espresso, thanks for your reply! I apologize for my novice-ness but can you give me a more layman step by step? Thank you thank you thank you.