The engine speed of washing machines is one of the main factors that influences their performance. The speed at which the drum rotates during the wash and spin cycles is determined by the engine, which is commonly expressed in revolutions per minute (RPM). The effectiveness of the cleaning process and the level of dryness achieved after spinning your clothes are directly impacted by this speed.
You can select the ideal washing machine for your needs by being aware of the differences between the engine speeds offered by different brands. Certain machines have a speed adjustment feature that lets you wash different kinds of fabrics at different rates, so you can wash more durable fabrics thoroughly and handle delicate items with care.
This post will discuss the common speeds for various washing machine types, how engine speed affects your machine’s performance, and how to select the ideal settings for your laundry.
Types of engines and their speed
You should find out how many revolutions the washing machine’s engine has before making a purchase. This determines how well washing and spinning work. The clothes will be almost dry if the motor can "accelerate" the drum to a maximum of 1400–1800 rpm.
An automatic machine’s engine spins the drum by converting electrical energy to mechanical energy. Electric motors come in three varieties: asynchronous, collector, and inverter. Every motor has a unique operating principle and design.
- An asynchronous motor can be two- or three-phase. If we talk about the power of motors of this type, it varies from 180 to 360 watts. The number of revolutions of these electric motors does not exceed 2800 during spinning and 300 during the main wash. Accordingly, the drum spins even slower.
- Collector motors can work, accepting not only direct current, but also alternating current. Their distinctive feature is their compact size. The number of revolutions of the engine is regulated by electronics. The main disadvantage of collectors is the brushes, which have to be changed every few years. The power of electric motors of this type reaches 800 W, and the motor anchor can rotate at a frequency of up to 17 thousand revolutions per minute.
- Inverter motors. The first washing machines equipped with ultra-technological motors were released in 2005, based on an innovative development by engineers from the South Korean brand LG. The fundamental difference is that a drive belt is not needed to connect the drum and the motor. The inverter has small dimensions and a relatively simple design. The power of such electric motors is not inferior to collectors, in addition, they are able to accelerate the "centrifuge" to 1600-2000 revolutions per minute.
Inverter-powered washing machines are thought to be the most dependable and cost-effective models.
Because they use substantially less electricity, inverter motors don’t need to have their brushes or drive belts replaced on a regular basis. One of the drawbacks is that direct-drive washing machines are more expensive.
The revolutions per minute (RPM) or speed at which a washing machine’s engine rotates determines how well your clothes get cleaned and spun dry. Lower RPMs are kinder to delicate fabrics, while higher RPMs usually result in faster and more effective water extraction, cutting down on drying time. By choosing the appropriate setting for each type of laundry, you can ensure the best possible cleaning and fabric care by being aware of the engine speed.
Power of the "engine" and its energy consumption
Concerns regarding the machine’s average kilowatt consumption during a wash cycle are common. A lot of people desire the machine to be as energy-efficient as possible. Generally speaking, a variety of factors influence how much energy washing machines use:
- motor power – and the amount of electricity consumed by the engine will change depending on the running washing program;
- technical characteristics of the heating element. The amount of "eaten" kilowatts is also affected by the power of the tubular heater (it varies from 1700 to 2900 W) and the set washing temperature mode;
- the power of the drain pump, this indicator can be from 24 to 40 W;
- the total power of indicators, sensors, electronic module and other elements. In general, the indicator reaches 5-10 watts.
The power of a washing machine’s pump, heating element, motor, and system sensors all affect how much energy it uses.
So which indicator ought the buyer to pay attention to? Which feature determines the energy efficiency class of the washing machine? In the technical specifications, the manufacturer states how much power the automatic machine uses when the "Cotton" program is enabled. This mode presupposes the drum being fully loaded and "medium" water heating, up to 60 °C.
The motor’s power determines how well the washing machine spins. The equipment instructions will always indicate the maximum number of revolutions that the electric motor is capable of spinning the drum at. This number ranges from 800-100 rpm for certain models to 1600–2000 rpm for others.
| Engine Speed (RPM) | Description |
| 400-800 | Low speed, suitable for delicate fabrics like wool and silk. |
| 800-1200 | Moderate speed, ideal for everyday clothes like cotton and polyester. |
| 1200-1600 | High speed, great for heavy fabrics like jeans and towels, dries clothes faster. |
| 1600+ | Very high speed, used for very heavy loads, reduces drying time significantly. |
The effectiveness of washing and spinning dry your clothes depends greatly on the engine speed of the machine. Increased speeds can cause fabrics to wear out more quickly over time, but they also usually result in faster and more efficient cycles for washing and drying. To maintain the quality of your clothes, it’s critical to strike a balance between speed and type when doing a laundry.
You can usually select different spin speeds for different kinds of laundry in modern washing machines. This adaptability offers strong cleaning performance for heavier loads while also protecting delicate fabrics. The longevity of your clothing and the quality of the cleaning you get can both be significantly improved by knowing when to use high or low speeds.
Ultimately, you can get the most out of your washing machine by being aware of how engine speed impacts washing performance. You can get the best results and minimize damage to your laundry by matching the spin speed to the load, regardless of whether you’re dealing with delicate or durable fabrics.
