Automatic washing machines are connected to the mains, sewerage and water supply. Moreover, they only need cold water - they prepare hot water themselves, using the built-in heating element. This element heats water to the temperature prescribed in the current program. Failure of the heating element leads to the impossibility of further operation of the washing machine - it interrupts the execution of the program and displays an error.
In this article, we decided to tell you about what a heating element is and how it works. We will also tell you about the choice and purchase of a heating element, about its verification and installation in a regular place. Installation instructions are the same for almost all machines, since their internal structure is very similar.
The principle of operation of the heating element in the washing machine
The heating element in an automatic washing machine is a tubular structure responsible for heating water. Inside this structure is a thin conductor made of a special alloy that has high resistance and the ability to heat up to high temperatures without breaking. The heating coil is separated from the outer steel shell by a dielectric material with high thermal conductivity.
The ends of the spiral are soldered to the contacts to which the supply voltage is applied.Here, most often, there is a thermoelement responsible for measuring the temperature of the water in the tank of the washing machine. When we start any program, the control unit supplies the heating element with a supply voltage - it warms up and starts to heat the water.As soon as the temperature sensor detects that the set temperature has been reached, the control unit will turn off the heating element and further heating will stop.
The power of the heating elements reaches up to 2.2 kW - the more powerful the heating element, the faster the machine will heat the water, and the faster the washing will reach the peak of efficiency. By the way, due to the high resistance and inertia, the heating elements practically do not react to power surges - a short-term increase in the voltage of the mains does not have a harmful effect on the nichrome (or fechral) thread. Due to this, the heating elements have a long service life.
Why the heating element breaks and how to check it
As we have already said, heating elements are distinguished by increased reliability. Therefore, most often they fail for the following reasons:
- Manufacturing defects;
- Settling of scale.
It is impossible to insure against factory defects, but if the machine is under warranty, then you just need to hand it over to a service center, where it will be quickly put in order. But scale is the most terrible enemy of heating elements. It settles on the outer part of the metal case, preventing the normal transfer of heat to the water. Due to the low thermal conductivity, scale provokes overheating of the heating element, as a result of which it burns out, and in order to prevent this from happening, you need use Antinakipin.
Also, the formation of scale contributes to the formation of corrosion on the metal shell of the heating element.As a result, its tightness is broken, there is a danger of a short circuit to the machine body (with all the ensuing consequences). Therefore, scale must be actively fought.
Before changing the heating element, it is necessary to check it. To do this, you should arm yourself with an ohmmeter or a multimeter operating in ohmmeter mode.We need to check the resistance of the heating filament and make sure there is no leakage to the body of the washing machine. The resistance of the heating element of the washing machine varies between 20-40 ohms (depending on the power of the heating element used).
As for leaks, in the normal state of the heating element, the ohmmeter should show the absence of any resistance. The check is carried out by measuring the resistance between the contacts of the device and its case. The ohmmeter itself is transferred to the maximum available work limit (measurement of tens and hundreds of megaohms).
You should also check the presence of a supply voltage from the control module - for this you need to switch the multimeter to the AC voltmeter mode and fix the probes on the contacts of the heating element. After that, we turn on any program and wait for the voltage supply. If not, then you need to check the control module itself.
Where is the heating element at the washing machine
In order to find the heating element in the washing machine, you need to remove the back cover from it. Here we will see a plastic tank, in the lower part of which there are contacts of a heating element and a temperature sensor.Sometimes the contacts of the heater are not located at the bottom, but on the side - for this you have to tinker with the side walls.
If you found the contacts of the heating element in the upper part, then this is the heating element for drying - at the moment we do not need it, although it is checked in the same way as the heating element for water. It is not necessary to remove the heater to control the resistance. By the way, between the contacts of the heating element or in the immediate vicinity of it, we can find the contacts of the temperature sensor.
The heating element is very easy to change - it must be unscrewed and removed, replacing the broken sample with a new heating element. After tightening the fasteners, you need to make sure that the tank is tight.
How to choose a new heating element for a washing machine
Electric heating elements for washing machines differ in their shape. U-shaped and W-shaped heating elements are widely used, the contacts of which we will certainly see in the back of the tanks. There are also more exotic options, for example, in the form of a deformed "heart". In some models, we can see spiral heating elements, like those used in old electric kettles or samovars.
In addition to the form Heating elements differ in the way of fastening and the way of connection – terminals and fasteners can have a different shape. Fasteners are most often fittings with flanges of various diameters. The same applies to contact groups with connecting washers and wires.
Also in the design of heating elements there may be temperature sensors and fuses that protect the heating elements from excessive overheating, often resulting from the formation of scale. Their contact groups are located between the supply contacts of the heating element.
Due to this, it is quite difficult to choose a suitable heating element for a washing machine. If possible, it is advisable to purchase an identical model, with similar fasteners and connections. Otherwise, you will have to be creative in order to connect the heating element to the supply wires and seal the place of its installation.
Also, when choosing a new heating element, the electric power of the heating element is taken into account. The parameters of the old and new heaters must match - so we will ensure the correct execution of washing programs, quick heating of the water and the absence of errors from the self-diagnosis system.
Where to buy a heating element for a washing machine
Do-it-yourself washing machine repair allows you to save money in your wallet. Another thing is that the search for spare parts and components is a certain difficulty - parts for washing machines are practically not sold in stores. The problem is solved by ordering spare parts through service centers, but the extra charge here can be fantastically large.
The easiest way to buy a heating element for a washing machine is easier in a specialized online store selling spare parts for modern household appliances. Such stores can be found in any search engine by setting the appropriate search query. The search for the desired model of heating element is carried out according to the model of the washing machine.
