Washer Electrical System

All automatic washers employ a 110-volt, A/C (alternating current) electrical power source. This power source is used not only to power the washer drive motor, but also the various electrical components such as timer, solenoids, valves, water level control, and switches. Listed below are components and their functions, which will help you in understanding, diagnosing, and repairing common electrical and mechanical failures.

Timer

The automatic washer timer is an electromechanical (or solid-state) assembly that is the “brains” of the automatic washer. This assembly consists of a small electrical motor that drives a pinion gear meshed with a drive gear in the timer assembly. This assembly consists of the cam wheels that rotate slowly, causing the cam to make contact with switch levers which, in turn, “opens” and “closes” electrical circuits to perform the various functions of the automatic washer.

Water Level Control

Most automatic washers use a pressure- activated switch to control the amount of water that is to enter the washer. This pressure- activated switch consists of a plastic tube that is connected to an air dome assembly, which is attached to the washer outer tub. As the water level rises, air is trapped in the air dome and the connecting plastic tube. A diaphragm in the water level control senses the air pressure that builds up in the plastic tube, and causes electrical contacts to open the circuit to the water inlet valve, thereby cutting OFF the water supply to the washer.

Lid Switch

The washer lid switch, which is a safety feature, is inserted electrically between the timer and the spin solenoid. The purpose of the lid switch is to shut OFF the washer if the lid is opened. Closing the lid would allow the washer to resume its normal spin operation.

Solenoids

Solenoids are simply a means of converting electrical energy to mechanical energy. This energy opens and closes valves, activates mechanical components and operates switches. A solenoid consists of a coil of wire around which a magnetic field is developed when electrical current passes through the coil. This magnetic force is very powerful in its role of moving a plunger inside a coil.

Washer Drive Motor

Most automatic washers use electric motors that are rated from 1/3 to 1/2 horsepower. The 1/2 horsepower capacitor - start motor is the most popular used in washer applications. The capacitor merely creates a higher starting torque in the motor. Washer drive motors are also of the one and two - speed types. The most common is the two- speed type, which has added motor windings in the motor to provide the cycle selections — such as normal wash and gentle wash. These motors are thermally protected, which means that the motor circuit will open (the machine will not run), if overheating occurs.

Electrical Connections

Most modern homes today are equipped with three - prong receptacles that accommodate the three - prong plug of the automatic washer. The third prong (bottom round) is connected to ground. To be sure a receptacle is grounded properly, insert one probe of a volt/ohmmeter in one hole of the outlet. Touch the other probe of the volt/ohmmeter to the receptacle cover plate screw. The volt/ohmmeter should show full-scale deflection on the 150-volt scale.

If you determine that the outlet is not grounded, you will have to install a ground wire to the nearest COLD-WATER PIPE. You can then use the three-prong plug with a two-prong outlet by the use of a special adapter. Electrical codes from location-to-location will determine the use of these adapters.

Diagnosing Problems

The most common washer problems and their most obvious failing sequence are covered in the following discussion. This discussion should aid in diagnosing and pinpointing exactly what is wrong with your automatic washer. Also listed are repair procedures to correspond to the failure symptom.

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