When buying a washing machine, we pay attention to the type of load, to the washing class, to the capacity and material of the drum. But do not forget about such an important element as the engine. The main parameter that should concern you is the engine power of the washing machine.
Why and why you need to know this characteristic when buying SMA, we will tell in this article.
Types of engines in washing machines
Engineers in the entire history of the development of washing machines have stopped at three types of engines, which are still used today:
- asynchronous;
- collector;
- brushless.
Induction motors
The motor for an asynchronous type washing machine can have both a two-phase and a three-phase design. In modern models that came off the assembly line after 2000, they refused to use two-phase motors.
The power of an asynchronous type motor in automatic machines usually ranges from 180 to 360 watts, and the number of revolutions per minute during the spin cycle is about 2800. During washing, the revolutions of such a motor reach 300.
As a result, the spin parameters in machines with asynchronous electric motors rarely exceed the mark of 400-600 revolutions per minute (extremely rarely reach 1000).
Collector motors
This type of motor has replaced asynchronous. Their work can be provided by both alternating and direct current. Their dimensions are more modest, and additionally provides for smooth regulation of speed using the command unit.
There is a significant drawback - in such motors there are brushes. Over time, they are erased, and require replacement.
Power is from 380 to 800 watts.
Important! Engine power consumption during washing and spinning can vary significantly. This indicator can not be found in the user manual - the manufacturer writes about it on the part itself.
Brushless motors
This is the latest type of engine, which began to be used in the construction of SMA only since 2005. The pioneer was the LG brand.
The main feature that distinguishes the engine from all others is its direct connection to the drum. Such machines are characterized as direct drive SM, and they do not have a drive belt. The engine itself is compact, its design is as simple as possible, and the efficiency is high.
The power is not inferior to the details described above, and the number of drum revolutions per minute during the spin cycle can be 1600, or even 2000.
Power and Power Consumption
The power consumption of the entire machine directly depends on what power the electric motor has for the washing machine. It is this parameter that affects how many kilowatts per hour your washing machine "wraps". When choosing a washer just this, and not the power of the engine, excites the buyer.
In general, a lot of factors affect energy consumption:
- Engine power.
- Heater power. On average, the heater can consume from 1.7 to 2.9 kilowatts. In high temperature conditions, the power increases.
- Power of the drainage pump. It ranges from 24-40 watts. This indicator is enough to pump out the waste water from the tank.
- The total power of the sensors, control unit and display. Within 5-10 watts.
The total indicator for the entire SM is calculated for only one mode - “Cotton”, with heating up to 60 degrees and with a full drum load.
According to the obtained indicators, the machine is assigned an energy efficiency class. Classes are denoted by Latin letters from G to A, where G is the lowest class, A is the most effective.
Important! The number of revolutions of the drum during the "Spin" mode directly depends on the motor power.
So, the higher the power of the engine, the more revolutions the drum is able to make during spinning. These indicators are also calculated by manufacturers, which affected the spin classes.
So, a washing machine, squeezing at a speed of 1600 rpm is a class A. But even 800 turns will be enough for a full spin of the laundry. And if you are going to often wash delicate fabrics, then the number of revolutions should not really bother you at all - the less the better: things will be whole.
Conclusions on engine power
How to find out how many revolutions a washing machine’s motor has? How to determine motor power? How can one make a mistake in choosing a technique based on this?
It's simple: washing machines made after 2000 are delivered to stores already with collector or brushless motors. Their power may differ, but this is not the most important indicator for the consumer, since the most pressing issue is the optimal class of energy efficiency.
Therefore, if you do not want to understand the technical nuances of motors, just choose a class A or A + machine.
A helpful video will tell you even more about the SM engine: