A commercial dishwasher is an essential appliance in residential and commercial kitchens alike. Your commercial kitchen depends on it to ensure there are piles of clean dishes ready to use. If your commercial dishwasher is abruptly stopping mid-cycle, it can be due to a number of reasons, so you will need to look for these causes and consult a commercial appliances repair expert for assistance.
Causes Of A Commercial Dishwasher Turning Off Mid-Cycle
Power Problems
Like any other electric appliance, commercial dishwashers need uninterrupted and stable power to function. Any power problems can cause it to stop working abruptly. Here are some common power issues to look for:
A Brief Power Cut Or Voltage Drop
Even if the power goes out very briefly, it can cut power to the appliance, which can lead the dishwasher to turn off mid-cycle.
Tripped Circuit Breaker
A circuit breaker protects appliances and the electrical system by tripping and turning off power when there is an overload. If the dishwasher is drawing a lot of power due to the breaker not being rated for the load or the dishwasher malfunctioning, the breaker can trip.
Moreover, it’s also possible that the breaker itself is faulty and tripping randomly. So, you should consult an electrician or an appliance expert to take a look at it if the breaker keeps tripping frequently.
Power Outlet Or Power Cord Problems
If the power cord is loose or if the outlet is malfunctioning, there can be a random power failure that may trigger the shutdown. So, check the power cord and the outlet. Make sure there is no visible damage.
Door Safety Switch Problems
Commercial dishwashers have a door safety latch that must be closed for the unit to operate. Even if the dishwasher detects that the safety latch is closed and begins the operation, and then during the cycle, the latch misaligns, the dishwasher may stop functioning mid-cycle.
It can be due to the door visibly not shutting properly. But that’s not common, because if the door isn’t shutting completely, the dishwasher won’t begin the cycle in the first place. So, a more plausible cause is a misaligned door safety latch.
If the door safety latch misaligns, the door will close normally, but internally, the latch would not close every time. So, sometimes the latch will close and other times, it won’t. And as the dishwasher vibrates and slightly shakes during operation, it can also cause an already-sensitive-to-misalignment switch to misalign. So, when the dishwasher detects it, even during a cycle, it just shuts down.
Water Supply Problems
Water is as important for dishwashers as the electric power. They need the water supply to be consistent as well. If the water pressure drops or the water inlet valve is leaking or blocked, the dishwasher won’t fill with water. The sensor will detect low water levels and can trigger the dishwasher to pause or stop working mid-cycle. Apart from that, it can also be due to a clogged water filter, creating low water pressure.
So, check the water supply first. If it’s fine, then check the water filter and clean it. After that, inspect the water inlet valve. It should be tightly connected. If it’s loose, fix it. But before that, check the inlet valve for scale buildup, as this can also create clogs that can stop the water supply. Moreover, check the inlet valve for damage or leaks as well.
If your dishwasher doesn’t heat the water and directly receives hot water, then check the hot water supply as well, because low pressure or low water levels can cause the dishwasher to stop working abruptly.
Sensor Failure
Commercial dishwashers have many sensors. If any one of them is faulty or has scale buildup, it won’t send the correct signal to the control board. So, the dishwasher may turn off mid-cycle even when there is no issue, and just one of the sensors is going faulty.
Therefore, check these sensors: water level sensor, thermistor or thermostat, door safety interlock, pump pressure switch, drain level sensor, motor sensor, etc. Consult an expert who knows the location of all of these sensors and can test each one, along with other components, to find the cause of your dishwasher stopping abruptly. To keep scale buildup from causing problems, always maintain your commercial appliances.
Pump Or Motor Problems
Commercial dishwashers also have a number of pumps and at least one motor. There’s a wash motor that sprays water through the spray arms. Plus, there can be a wash pump, a rinse pump, and a drain pump as well. Moreover, if the dishwasher is larger, there can be a conveyor motor too.
If any of these pumps and motors malfunction, get strained, or overheat, it can trigger safety sensors, which can turn off the dishwasher abruptly.
Similar to dishwashers, a commercial garbage disposal can also turn off abruptly or trip the breaker due to motor problems or overheating, to call in a commercial garbage disposal repair Chantilly expert.
Heating Element Failure
Some dishwashers have heating elements that warm the water or dry the dishes. If they overheat or malfunction, the dishwasher can pause or turn off mid-cycle.
Control Board Problems
The control board is like the brain of any electrical appliance. If it’s damaged or malfunctioning, the dishwasher may behave in all kinds of unexpected ways, so it can also stop functioning mid-cycle for that reason.
Control board problems can be hard to fix, so instead of inspecting it yourself, always hire an expert to take a look at it.
Drainage Problems (Clogged Drain or Slow Drainage)
Not only do commercial dishwashers require a stable water supply, but they also need to be able to drain water, otherwise, the safety features can shut the unit down to avoid water overflow.
Drain Line And Filter Clogs
Check the drain line and the filter because any clog can stop the dishwasher from functioning.
Scale Buildup On Water Level Sensors
Moreover, check the water level sensors as well. Even if the sensors are fine, there may be scale buildup on them, causing them to send incorrect signals. They may signal the dishwasher control board that the unit is overflowing and shut down, and in response, the control board will turn off the dishwasher mid-cycle.
A Strained Or Faulty Drain Pump
If the drain is clogged, it can put strain on the drain pump. This can overheat the pump, which can trigger safety sensors to turn off the dishwasher. It’s also possible that the pump is faulty, so it won’t properly push the drain water. This can also lead the sensors to signal the control board to shut down to avoid water overflow.
Backed-Up Drain Water
There can be backed-up drain water, causing the dishwasher sensors to go haywire and signal the dishwasher to turn off immediately.
Conclusion
If your commercial dishwasher is shutting down mid-cycle, look for problems, like water supply issues, power problems, sensor issues, a misaligned door safety latch, and other issues. Make sure to call in a commercial dishwasher repair Arlington technician to inspect and fix the dishwasher.
