Among all the details of washing machines TEN is one of the key elements. Its breakdown makes the further operation of the device impossible, because the program is interrupted and an error appears on the display.
Purpose
For washing machines only cold water is required, because inside each unit there is a heating element - teng. Its function is to heat the water tank inside the tank to the temperature required for a specific washing program.
Principle of operation
The heater in the machine is represented by a tubular part, inside which is a conductor. This conductor has a high resistance and there is the ability to withstand heating to high temperatures.
A dielectric is located around the heating coil, which has a high thermal conductivity. It transfers heat to the outer steel jacket of the TEN.The helix of the heater is soldered to its contacts by its ends. The supply voltage is applied to these contacts. Also near there is a thermocouple, which measures the level of water heating in the tank.
When the washing program is started from the control unit of the unit to the heater, a command is given, the result of which is the supply of the supply voltage to the heater. The heater starts to warm up, as a result of which the water temperature in the tank rises.
As soon as its heating is sufficient for the selected program, the temperature sensor transmits data to the control unit, which turns off the heater, and the heating of the water stops.
Specifications
The main parameter of the heater is its power, which can be up to 2.2 kW. The higher this characteristic, the faster the water in the typewriter will be heated. Since the TEN has inertia and high resistance, this part is not afraid of short-term changes in the voltage of the network. The resistance of the heater is normally between 20 and 40 ohms, depending on the power of the part.
Where is it?
In most models, the heater is located at the bottom, and to get to it, you must remove either the front or back cover. There are also models in which the heater is located on the side, and to check and replace it you need to remove the side wall.
Why does TAN break?
The main causes of heater failure are:
- Factory fault. No buyer is insured from it, and if the device is still under warranty, it is sent to a service center for the replacement of TEN.
- Scale on the surface of the heater. This is the most common cause of heater failure. By settling on the metal case of the part, the scum due to its weak thermal conductivity prevents the transfer of heat from the heating element to the water. In this case, the heater itself overheats and burns. In addition, the scaling provokes the appearance of corrosion on the surface of the heater, which leads to a violation of the tightness of its metal shell and causes a short circuit.
Tips for choosing a new TV
The heaters for the washing machine have different shapes. The most common heaters, reminiscent of the letters W and U. Also there are heaters in the form of a spiral.
The second difference between heaters in different models of machines is the way of connection and fixing. Different heating elements can have different fasteners( often this is a fitting whose flange diameter varies) and different terminal shapes.
The design of the heating element can also include the presence of fuses( they work with overheating) and temperature sensors. All these structural features make it difficult to choose a suitable heater.
It is also important to choose a new heater of exactly the same power as that of the defective dismantled part. So, you can be sure that the washing program will be performed correctly, and the water in the tank will be heated at the required speed.
It is best to find a similar part, which has the same terminals and the same fasteners as a burnt out heater. Otherwise, there may be difficulties in connecting the TEN to the wires and the need to seal the place where the new heater was installed. Such problems are often faced by the owners of old washing machines, which have long since been withdrawn from production.
Where to buy?
Having decided to repair the machine with their own hands, the user is faced with the need to purchase parts for the device, but in a regular store, TEN and other elements of such equipment are not sold. You can order a new heater through the service center, but wait for a pretty high mark-up. A more profitable and simple way to get the right part is an order in a specialized online store that sells spare parts for washing machines. In this case, the search for the desired heater should be based on the model of your machine.
What does the service life depend on?
The duration of the heater is affected by various factors. This is the brand of the manufacturer of the machine, which directly affects the quality of machine parts, and the frequency of using the equipment, and the most frequent washing program, and, of course, the level of hardness of the water used for washing. The more often a machine is used, the higher the washing temperature, and the harder the water, the less the heater will serve. The average duration of such a part is 2-10 years.
Replacement TENA
In order to replace the heating element yourself in a washing machine, you do not need to be a jack of all trades. This can be done by almost anyone who has an idea of what a TEN is. The replacement of the ten's in the washing machine was considered in detail in another article.
In the next video, Vladimir Khatuntsev will show how to replace the heater on a LG washing machine.
Prevention of breakdowns
The basis for the prevention of problems with TEN should be the fight against the formation of scale. If the water entering your house is tough( and you can see this in the state of the TEN, but also in the appearance of scale in the kettle, in the toilet and other places), be sure to take measures to mitigate it.
Also, if the water hardness is high, try not to turn on the washing programs, where you want to heat water up to + 60º C and above. If the scum already appeared, you can remove the heater and clean it with anti-scale.
Every 3-4 months it is recommended to clean the heating element from scale using citric acid. In the next video Larissa Shkurpela will show how she does it at home on her own.
