It's so good that the days of vibrating washing machines are gone, when several batches of laundry had to be washed in one change of water. The current automatic car is a joy for the hostess in all respects. Such a faithful assistant erases perfectly, works silently, saves a lot of time. Modern washing is good for everyone thanks to such complex household appliances, but its danger lies in the form of unexpected power surges, because it cannot work without electricity. And, it would seem, some small voltage drop can damage the washing machine. And after that, the worries with the repair begin, which translate into a huge amount.
A surge protector for an automatic machine: what is and why is it needed
In order not to pay for expensive repairs, you can take care of the proper protection of the washing machine in advance. A surge protector for a washing machine comes to the rescue. Network filter:
- perfectly smooths out any voltage drops;
- saves equipment from breakdown due to voltage surges and its sharp drop;
- ensures a normal washing process, without any interference;
- protects household appliances adjacent to the washing machine from high-frequency currents that can enter the power grid during the operation of the washing machine.
But do not mistake an extension cord that has multiple outlets for such a protective filter. The extension cord can be used for all household appliances as a whole, and the surge protector takes over the protective functions of the complex system of the automatic washing machine and other household appliances surrounding it.
Surge protectors can be built into the machine while still in production, or they can be purchased separately by the consumer to connect the washing machine through it to a power source. The built-in mains filter is a housing made of shock-resistant material that does not conduct current. All parts are protected by non-conductive liquid poured into the housing.
Modern washing machines are very complex systems that require reliable protection, even and stable power supply. If the accessory equipment receives high or, on the contrary, low impulses, it burns out and requires replacement. This is especially true for machines with touch control, they are very sensitive to even the slightest voltage surges. Therefore, line filters are installed on such devices by the manufacturer. Typically, it is located where the power cord exits.
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How the protective device works
There is an opinion that it is possible to use an automatic machine without such a protective device. But, this applies only to the devices of the old type. Connecting modern washing machines without an integrated or external protective device does not guarantee that the next time you start the washing cycle, due to the instability of the electrical network, the control panel, asynchronous motor or heating element will remain intact. Damage to the touch controls may cause programs to change wash modes spontaneously.
It does not matter what type of line filter is used, the main thing is the presence and operation of capacitors, it is they that affect both the quality of the device and the price. Coils and capacitors are already installed in the machine, but they have such a small capacity that they cannot withstand a large voltage surge.
The mains filter built into the machine allows vibrations that have a frequency of 50 Hz to pass through, others - large or small - are immediately blocked. This is an important factor, since if we take into account interruptions, voltage surges, then they are different from a sinusoid with bursts of amplitude, and very significant, which can disrupt the systems of an automatic machine, even putting them out of action.
It should be borne in mind that there is also instability in the device, and every time the relay is triggered and the asynchronous motor is turned on, peaks or dips of currents are generated, but this process should not go online, otherwise such instability will cause high-frequency harmonics, and the merit of the network filter - to neutralize this process.
So that consumers do not neglect the protection of their washing machine, many modern manufactured models of machines are programmed in such a way that if the built-in surge protector fails, all operation of the device is blocked until the protective device is replaced.
Surge protectors: types and their features
Surge protectors vary in the way they connect to the machine. There is an internal filter and there is an extension filter.
The internal one is already installed during production, it must be purchased and connected separately. Failure of such a filter will entail its complete replacement. It will take exactly the same part, which is very problematic: it is usually difficult to find original spare parts in stores. Leading manufacturers of washing machines are constantly improving the protection of their machines and produce a wide variety of filters, because in certain models they have differences in appearance and, most importantly, differ in the level of protection. This means that filters will react differently to:
- rated current;
- allowable voltage threshold;
- machine shutdown time after a power surge;
- maximum load and maximum current.
As an additional protection, a surge protector can also be used. In the event of a short circuit or power surge, the fuse of such a device is triggered and shuts off the supply of electric current.
Features of external filters
The extension cord is reliable and advantageous in that you can choose the one that is most convenient for use. They are produced with different types of protection:
- basic;
- professional;
- advanced.
The extension cord can be selected with the desired number of outlets, from 3 to 8. Individual models contain convenient devices, which include: buttons for turning on or off the network at each outlet, as well as special protection from small children.
An extension cord with a large number of sockets is needed for such rooms in which several electrical appliances are closely located at once. This is a universal and powerful device, but the price of such a protective filter will be much higher.
The extension cord has a different length from 1 to 5 meters. Before going to the store to purchase a surge protector, it is recommended to measure the distance from the outlet to the washing machine and calculate the required wire length.
Another important characteristic is the maximum load. It indicates the range of energy surges absorbed by the filter.If there is professional protection, then the figure will be 2500 J, compared with the usual - 960 J. The most expensive are those that withstand lightning.
The speed with which the device can work is also important. It will depend on whether the operation of all devices connected to it and the level of protection of electrical appliances are blocked in time.
There can be several fuses, the main one must be fusible, and the rest: thermal and fast acting.
An extension cord equipped with an LED indicator is much more convenient. Indeed, with its help, you can find out the condition and serviceability of the protective device.
There are certain prohibitions when working with an external surge protector:
- It is forbidden to connect the extension cord to the 380 V network;
- The socket to which the protective device is connected must be grounded;
- the power of the device working through the extension cord cannot exceed 3.5 kW;
- If there are several similar devices at home, it is not recommended to incorporate them into each other.
If the filter is out of order
If there are doubts as to whether the power filter is working, it is necessary to ring the terminals - at the input and output.
Sometimes it can bring the input impedance, for this you have to bite the crocodiles on the plug. If the terminals in the field of the surge protector are detachable, they must be undocked, and only then measured. The result should be 680 ohms.
If the standard test gave normal results, you can check the capacitors. It is required to turn them on in parallel, and add the denominations. If you turn it on in turn, the reciprocal values are added. A discrepancy with the required indicators indicates the burnout of the condensate and the need for its replacement.
The issue of protecting the washing machine from sudden voltage surges is quite serious. It is necessary for every consumer to choose and install a surge protector on his washing machine.
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