if the rcd trips then it is a problem with the power going to earth and testing the resistance of the hotplate will not prove a thing!.connect a meter to the body of the hotplate and then to all the terminals.any low resistance here is an indication of a faulty hotplate.ideally you need a 500v megga to do this test properly.the switch readings might be a welded contact on the switch causing your issue
ck
January 2012