Mains filter for washing machine: basic functions
How good, Gone are the days of vibrating washing machines, when in one change of water it was necessary to wash several parties of linen. The current machine is a joy for the hostess in all respects. Pere is such a faithful assistant perfectly, works silently, saves a lot of time. All good modern laundry thanks to such sophisticated appliances, but its danger lies in the form of sudden surges, after all, it can not work without electricity. AND, it would seem, a small voltage drop can damage the washing machine. And after that, the hassle of repair begins, which result in a huge amount.
Mains filter for automatic machine: what it is and why it is needed
Not to pay for expensive repairs, you can take care in advance of the proper protection of the washing machine. The mains filter for the washing machine comes to the rescue. Network filter:
- perfectly smoothes any voltage drops;
- saves equipment from breakage due to voltage drops and its sharp drop;
- ensures a normal washing process, without any obstacles;
- protects household appliances adjacent to the washing machine, from high frequency currents, which can get into the mains during the operation of the washing machine.
But do not take an extension cord, which has several sockets, for such a protective filter. The extension cord can be used for all appliances as a whole, and the mains filter assumes protective functions of difficult system of the washing machine the automatic machine and surrounding it other household appliances.
Surge filters can be built into the machine at the factory, and can be purchased separately by the consumer, to connect the washing machine through it to the power supply. Built-in mains filter is a housing made of impact-resistant material, non-conducting. All details are protected by the current-carrying liquid filled in the case.
Modern washing machines are very complex systems, which need reliable protection, equal and stable power supply. If the component equipment gets high or vice versa, underestimated impulses, it burns out and needs to be replaced. This is especially true of machines with touch control, they are very sensitive to even the smallest voltage drops. Therefore, on such devices, line filters are installed by the manufacturer. Usually, it is located at the outlet of the power cord.
The principle of operation of the protective device
There is an opinion, that you can use the machine automatically without such a protective device. But, this only applies to old type devices. Connection of modern washing machines without built-in or external protective device, does not guarantee, that at the next start of a cycle of washing because of instability of an electric network the control panel will remain intact, asynchronous motor or ten. Due to damage to the touch control programs can change the washing modes at will.
Does not matter, what type of network filter is used, the main thing is the presence and operation of capacitors, they affect the quality of the device, and for the price. Inductors and capacitors are already installed in the car, but they have such a small capacity, that will not be able to withstand a strong voltage jump.
Network filter, built-in inside the machine, misses fluctuations, which have a frequency 50 hHZ, others, larger or smaller, are immediately blocked. This is an important factor, as if to take into account interruptions, voltage spikes, then they are different from sinusoids with bursts of amplitude, and very significant, which are able to disrupt the system of the machine, even bringing them completely out of order.
It is necessary to consider, that there is also instability in the device, and every time, when the relay trips, and turns on the induction motor, there is a generation of peaks or failure of currents, but this process should not go online, otherwise such instability will cause high-frequency harmonics, and the merit of the network filter is to level this process.
So that consumers do not neglect the protection of their washing machine, many modern models of machines are available, programmed as follows, what if the built-in network filter fails, all work of the device is blocked, before replacing the protective device.
Мережеві фільтри: species and their features
Surge filters differ in the method of connection to the machine. There is an internal filter, and there is an extension filter.
Internal is already installed during production, it must be purchased separately and connected. Failure of such a filter will result in its complete replacement. Exactly the same detail is required, 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, therefore, 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;
- time of shutdown of the car after voltage jump;
- maximum load and maximum current.
As additional protection it is possible to use also the network filter extender. In case of short circuit or voltage jump, the fuse of such a device is triggered and shuts off the electric current.
Features of external filters
The extension cord is reliable and profitable, that you can choose the one, which is most convenient to use. They are made with different types of protection:
- basic;
- professional;
- advanced.
The extension cord can be selected with the required number of sockets, from 3 to 8. Some models contain convenient devices, which include: buttons to turn on or off the mains on each socket, as well as special protection against young children.
Extension cord with many sockets, required for such premises, in which several electrical devices are located at once. This is a versatile 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 buy a line filter, it is recommended to measure the distance from the socket to the washing machine and calculate the required wire length.
This characteristic is also important, as the maximum load. It indicates the range of energy jumps, absorbed by the filter. If there is professional protection, then the figure will be 2500 J, compared to conventional - 960 J. The most expensive are those, which can withstand the lightning discharge.
Speed, with which the device will be able to work, is also important. It will depend on this, whether the operation of all devices connected to it and the level of protection of electrical appliances will be blocked in time.
There can be several fuses, the main must be fusible, and the rest: thermal and fast.
Extension cord, equipped with an LED indicator is much more convenient. After all, with its help you can learn about the condition and serviceability of the protective device.
There are some restrictions when working with an external line filter:
- Do not connect the extension cord to the mains 380 V;
- Power socket, to which the protective device is connected, must have grounding;
- device power, working through an extension cord, cannot exceed 3,5 kw;
- If you have several similar devices at home, it is not recommended to include them in each other.
If the filter fails
In case of doubt, whether the network filter works, it is necessary to ring the terminals - at the input and output.
Sometimes it can fail the input resistance, for this purpose it is necessary to have a snack "crocodiles" on a plug. If, the terminals in the mains filter area are detachable, they need to be moved, and only then measure. The result should be 680 Ohm.
If the standard test gave normal results, you can check the capacitors. You need to include them in parallel, and denominations to sum up. If you turn in turn, the inverse values are formed. Discrepancy with the required indicators, indicating the condensate burnout and the need to replace it.
The issue of protection of the washing machine from sudden voltage drops is quite serious. Every consumer needs to choose and install a mains filter on their washing machine.
