How to check the heater's washing machine: with a multimeter, with a tester, without a device

When the washing machine suddenly stops to heat water, this becomes a real problem, since it affects the quality of washing significantly. In cold water, it is impossible to wash stubborn stains, besides, the detergent powder is poorly soluble, and after washing this laundry sometimes gets an unpleasant, musty smell.

There are several reasons for not heating. Most often it is a breakdown of a software module or a heating element - a tubular heating element. As practice shows, the most common reason is the latter. The heater often goes out of order due to a plaque that occurs under the influence of hard water or poor quality household chemicals.

We will tell you in detail how to independently diagnose TEN and preventive measures in today's article.

In order to check the serviceability of the heater, you must first get access to it - and for this you need to disassemble the washing machine. Most modern models have either a front or rear of the casing. Find it quite easily in three ways:

• compare the front and rear wall of the unit - which one is larger, underneath that usually hides the heater;
• turn the stylalk on its side and find the heater by removing its lower part;
• unscrew the top cover and, tilting the machine aside, detect the heater.

Finding TEN, you can immediately dismantle it, but experts advise you not to rush to this until you are convinced of its malfunction. Therefore, to begin with, simply disconnect the wires going to the TEN.

The most affordable way to diagnose problems with the TET is to measure its resistance. In order to determine it, we need to find the value of all the elements of the formula:

R = U² / P, where R is the resistance, U is the voltage, and P is the power.

The voltage that is applied to the heater is equal to the voltage of the mains: it is typically 220 volts. The power of the heater can be found in the corresponding section of the operating instructions manual of the washing machine. If this information was not found there - on the Internet there are data regarding all existing models. Most often it is 2000 watts.

Now substitute the values ​​found, calculate, and get the desired value. According to our values, R = 220² / 2000 = 24.2 Ohm.

The resistance obtained as a result of calculation is an indicator at which the heater can function normally. In the event of a failure of the heating element, the resistance may change, resulting in interruptions in the heating of the water. The resistance can be checked using a multimeter, a device that allows you to measure various electrical current values.

Then adjust the multimeter: start the resistance measurement mode, and set the value to 200 ohms. Attach the test leads to the terminals of the heating element. The result of the measurement should appear on the instrument screen.

If the resulting number is equal or close to the one we found by the formula, then the TEN is all right. The figure "1" means that there was a break in the TEN.The figure "0" is displayed in case of a short circuit. In either case, the heating element will have to be replaced.

Do not forget to check the TEN housing itself for integrity. How to do it, see the next video.

If you do not have a multimeter at hand, you can test the heating element of the washing machine in other ways. The first of them does not require disassembly of the unit. To make sure that the heater is functioning normally, start the washing in the maximum heat mode. Then carefully watch the rotation of the electric meter wheel - if it starts to gain momentum, then the heater is likely to be sound.

The second way to diagnose the heater is visual inspection. If cracks or black spots appear on the case of the device - the heater should be replaced.

• During the installation of a new heater or return to the site of the old one, carefully check the connections - they must be completely sealed, otherwise the life of the heater( and possibly the entire washing machine) will be very short.
• It is possible to extend the service life of the heater by arranging periodic preventive maintenance. The most accessible remedy is citric acid. Just run the wash with an empty tank, falling asleep instead of powder a couple tablespoons of citric acid. But do so no more often than once a year, otherwise you can damage the metal elements of the washing machine.

On other preventive measures, you can find out by watching the Ukrainian program "Everything will be good."