Washing clothes badly? Perhaps the machine washes things in cold water. In this case, the powder does not dissolve enough, and the lack of high temperature leads to poor removal of contaminants. Probably, diagnostics of the heating element of the washing machine is required. How to do this at home, we will consider in detail in the photo instructions.
A detailed video on the topic was shot by a specialist of the channel Master – Genesis. Based on these materials, a step-by-step work is described. So, you must have a heater that does not perform its functions, as well as a multimeter tester to check the element.
How to check the heating element? There are three diagnostic methods: for breakdown, for breakage and for current load. Set the multimeter knob to dial mode.
The master did not open America, offering to ring the details with a tester. In fact, this is described in any article on the repair of equipment. But many users really do not know about this method. To find out that the tester is working, you need to cross the probes. The working device will beep.
The check is carried out as follows: attach the probes to the contacts of the heating element. If the heater is working, the readings on the screen will change and the tester will beep.
If the element is faulty, then the same numbers will remain on the display, and the multimeter will not make a sound.
Is the heating element alive? Then you need to find the reason for the lack of heating. To do this, check the heating element with a multimeter for breakdown. Turn the knob to the 200 megohm position.
Measure the resistance of an element by placing one probe on the contact and the other on the housing. No response? Hence, there is no breakdown.
But that is not all. To finally make sure that there is no breakdown of the case, the heating element must be heated. How to do it? The first option is described by the master. The terminals from the power cord are connected to the heater contacts, after which the plug is inserted into the socket for 5 seconds.
You can also heat the heating element by dipping it in hot water (leave the contacts outside). Or do not pull it out of the tank at all, but pour water and heat it to a hot state. After that, check the part again for breakdown. If the numbers run on the screen, a dielectric breakdown occurs.
The next type of diagnostics is for current leakage. To understand what value the sensor should show, you need to calculate the current consumption. The formula is shown in the photo, where P is power, I is current, U is voltage.
Reconnect the multimeter lead to 20 amps.
Now make the connection in this way: connect the power cord terminal to one contact of the heater. To the other – a terminal, on the reverse side of which there is a clamp. Connect it to the tester probe. Connect the second probe to the mains terminal. Turn the multimeter lever to 20 amps.
Connect the plug to the socket. The display should show about 8 amps.
Repairs are carried out depending on the indicators. In the case of a breakdown on the body, repairs cannot be performed, a complete replacement of the element is required. Otherwise, the machine will fail or shock.
If you do not know where the heating element is located, look at the instructions. In various SMA models, it can be located behind the anterior or posterior wall. It’s easier to dismantle the back panel and check. How to remove an element? As mentioned above, you can carry out diagnostics without taking the part out of the washer. But still:
- Unplug the machine.
- Remove the required panel.
- Tighten the center nut.
- Push the bolt in the center inwards.
- Take out the heater.
That’s all. Happy troubleshooting and repair!