Why is the electric motor of the washing machine heated?

Have you ever noticed that the electric motor in your washing machine warms up during a wash cycle and wondered if that’s typical? It’s a frequent query and one that piques the interest of many. Knowing why this occurs will enable you to maintain the smooth and effective operation of your machine.

Your washing machine’s electric motor, which spins the drum and agitates your laundry, is a workhorse. It produces heat while it is operating, just like any other electric motor. When electrical energy is transformed into mechanical energy, heat is a naturally occurring byproduct. Thus, some degree of warmth is entirely typical.

But, if the motor is becoming unusually hot, there may be an issue. Numerous factors, including an excessive load, inadequate ventilation, or even a broken motor, can cause overheating. To prevent more severe damage, it’s critical to monitor how warm it gets and to take quick action when something goes wrong.

The motor in your washing machine can be kept in good operating order with routine maintenance and appropriate use. A significant difference can be achieved by making sure the machine isn’t overloaded and by looking for any indications of wear and tear. Seeking professional advice can ease your mind and ensure that your washing machine remains in optimal condition if you have any concerns regarding the temperature of its motor.

Is excessive heating really?

The user must abide by all guidelines when using the washing machine and must frequently assess the "home assistant’s" condition. One of the primary variables under control is the electric motor’s temperature. This is where the feedback occurs: an engine operates more efficiently the less heat it generates.

It’s important to become familiar with the manufacturer’s listed working technical characteristics of the motor before making any assumptions about why it failed.

The standard temperature for certain electric motors will be even +100 °C. Thus, it would be incorrect to assume that the motor’s problem stems solely from its extreme heat. Start by reading the manual for the automatic machine and paying close attention to the engine description section.

Generally speaking, a temperature of up to 60–70 °C is considered normal when the engine is running. It is worthwhile to pay attention to the issue and keep an eye on the engine if it rises by an additional 10 to 15 degrees. Engine diagnostics will be warranted in this case. It’s possible that inadequate cooling is what’s causing the issue, and fixing it will only require improvement.

If the electric motor’s temperature rises to 100 °C, it is imperative that you thoroughly inspect the engine and determine what is causing the disruption in its operation. In order to avoid damaging the insulation and starting a fire, it is imperative that the power supply be turned off immediately as the temperature rises.

To determine if the engine is overheating, there are multiple methods available. We will inform you of all available options.

• Manual. You need to touch the electric motor. If you can hold your hand on the casing for a few seconds, it means that it has heated up to a maximum of 60 ° C, and everything is fine.
• Using a contact thermometer. A thermometer equipped with an external sensor is used for measurements. It is necessary to record the temperature in the center of the casing and in the area of ​​the bearings. In these places, overheating is more clearly noted.
• Using a thermal imager. Having connected the device to the motor, you can see all the existing overheating points on the device screen. This method is the most accurate and convenient, but the cost of measuring equipment is quite high and many simply cannot afford it.
• Using built-in sensors. In some modern 220 and 380 Volt engines, such thermistors are built into the design, that is, they are mounted in the device at the factory. They allow you to monitor the engine temperature in different areas. If there are no sensors, you can buy them and install them yourself.

Once you’ve made the decision to install the thermistors yourself, it’s best to set up an automatic reaction for overheating right away. Subsequently, the frequency converter will receive the data straight from the sensors and process it before sending it to the controller’s output. In response to the information it has received, the protective device will act quickly and as follows:

• when the engine heats up to 70°C – sends information about this to the operator;
• when it reaches 100°C – turns off the device to prevent its breakdown.

Naturally, the manual method or the method with the thermometer is the one most frequently used in home conditions. To operate larger, more potent electric motors, posistors and thermal imagers are required.

Why does excessive heating of the electric motor occur?

As soon as the user notices that the automatic machine’s engine is overheating, they should determine the cause. There could be a number of causes. It is not always the case that overheating indicates that the equipment’s operating guidelines have been broken. Time is a cruel factor that affects any washing machine; as the parts deteriorate over time, their regular operating indicators become irregular.

The machine’s "heart" is mentioned in the same way. The internal wiring becomes damaged and the engine components wear out after a few years of operation, which causes the device to overheat. In general, the rise in operating temperature can be attributed to multiple primary causes.

• Accumulated dirt. Dust and debris can get into the engine, clog the contacts and winding. In this case, the electric motor may not start at all, but only consume kilowatts and hum. If the protective device does not work, the engine overheats under increased voltage. The solution to the problem will be to clean the "insides".

The engine may catch fire if it runs on higher voltage while overheated.

• Broken bearings. Wear of these elements leads to the engine constantly experiencing increased load. This can lead to burnout of the device.
• Stretched or too tight drive belt. In both cases, the load on the electric motor increases. It is better to repair the washing machine as soon as possible, adjust the belt tension or install a new rubber band.
• Systematic overload of the drum. Each automatic machine is designed for a certain amount of laundry. If you exceed the maximum permissible weight set by the manufacturer, it will be harder for all internal units of the washing machine, including the engine. To avoid problems, put as much clothes in the machine as allowed, and evenly distribute the items inside the "centrifuge".

In other words, repairs might not even be necessary. For instance, when the machine consistently exceeds the maximum allowable load weight and overheats as a result. In other circumstances, you might need to "tweak" the washing machine a little by replacing the drive belt or bearings and removing and cleaning the dirt from the engine.

Because washing machines require energy to power the drum and other parts, their electric motors become hot. Heat is produced by the friction and resistance the motor creates while it operates. While this is somewhat expected and normal, excessive heating may indicate other issues such as motor wear, overloading, or inadequate ventilation. You can troubleshoot problems and make sure your washing machine operates smoothly by knowing why this occurs.

Only the rotor is hot

The rotor is the part of an electric motor that rotates. Direct connection to the drive shaft is made. Depending on the engine model, rotor mechanisms have different designs and specifications.

Additionally, the engine rotor tends to heat up. Common causes of this include:

• mismatch of rotor power to a specific electric motor;
• break in rotor winding;
• unsuitable capacitor capacity;
• improper heat dissipation (the impeller stops performing its functions in full);
• damage to bearings. The main symptom of such a breakdown is the rotor shaft not turning manually. To eliminate the problem, replace the elements;
• poor contact or break in the short-circuited winding of the squirrel cage type;
• motor shaft jam. In most cases, such a malfunction trips the machine or burns out the fuse.

Avoid placing the motor under excessive load, abide by the specified temperature range, and observe the operating guidelines to avoid the rotor overheating.

Using a multimeter, you can test the rotor winding. In case the device’s screen displays excessively high readings, it will be necessary to fix the electric motor.

Maintaining and extending the life of a washing machine requires an understanding of why its electric motor heats up. As we’ve talked about, normal operation of the motor can cause it to get warm, but excessive heat might point to underlying problems. Frequent use strains the motor, causing it to heat up while it drives the drum and stirs the clothing. If the machine keeps working properly and the heat is moderate, there’s usually nothing to worry about.

On the other hand, an abnormally high temperature on the motor may indicate a problem. Problems like overworking the machine, a broken motor, or obstructed airflow can result in an excessive accumulation of heat. It’s critical to keep an eye on the motor’s temperature and listen for any odd noises that could indicate it’s having trouble. Observing these indicators can help avert later, more significant issues.

Avoid overloading your washing machine and make sure the ventilation isn’t blocked to maintain smooth operation. Your washing machine’s lifespan can be increased and overheating can be avoided with routine maintenance and quick attention to any unusual symptoms. You can maintain the condition of your appliance and prevent needless repairs by being aware of these factors.

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