So I have a 3 way Grid plate with 3 switches, reading from left to right, Cooker Hood, Dish Water & Washing Machine. This is located approx 10 inches to the left of my kitchen sink. I accidentally ended up splashing and soaking everything. I immediately turned off the Cooker Hood and Washing Machine, The dishwasher switch was already off. I tried to mop up all the water and dry the switches. A few hours later, I turned on the Cooker Hood which worked fine, however when turning the Washing Machine it started buzzing and went bang and tripped all the kitchen appliances. Soot like stuff come out from behind the grid plate and deposited itself on the finger switch and there is traces of soot on the tiles below the switch. I turned off all electric and took the cover plate off. I could not see any dampness so refitted the grid plate and turned the electric on with the switches in the off position. 4 hours on I again tested the 2 appliance appliances we have fitted. The Dishwasher is redundant as we don't have one and there are fitted cupboards in front of the plug point so there is no access to that point. Again the Cooker Hood worked but again the Washing Machine started buzzing and went bang, Once again tripping all kitchen appliances and depositing more soot like stuff. I turned the switch to off and then turned the trip switch back on as we have fridge and freezer etc in the kitchen too that we need to run. So 2 questions. Is it safe to have electric on but leave that switch off and what can I do to fix and resolve this problem please. We are clinically extremely vulnerable and therefore would like to fix this issue without having to call a tradesman in.
