The washing machine is one of the vital components in the household. Its ability to help facilitate laundry activities makes washing machines widely chosen by the community. However, sometimes if it is continuously used, the way the washing machine capacitor works becomes weak. Therefore, the public must know the characteristics of weak washing machine capacitors and how to overcome them.
This information is intended for owners of one-tube or two-tube washing machines. This is because capacitors are a vital aspect in the movement of the washing machine. Users should also know the function of the washing machine capacitor itself. The goal is that if there is a problem, the user can already identify himself.
Capacitor Function in Washing Machine
Household devices such as washing machines, whose function is important to ease household chores, have a component called capacitors. There are 2 (two) functions of the washing machine capacitor, namely as a capacitor start and capacitor running. These two capacitor functions will later help the washing machine to rotate from the beginning to the end of the washing process.
The first function of the capacitor is as a capacitor start which functions to distribute large electric current power when the washing machine starts to start. The function of the capacitor as a place to reserve electricity which will later be channeled to the washing machine dynamo, makes its function very vital.
Then, the function of the capacitor as a running capacitor which means that the capacitor maintains the stability of the electricity flow from the dynamo to the washing machine turning machine. This is useful when the user is using the washing machine and when the washing process is running. The function of running capacitors also has a vital role to be able to carry out the process of washing clothes optimally and running well.
Characteristics of Weak and Damaged Washing Machine Capacitors
After knowing the function of the washing machine capacitor, the user must also know the characteristics of a weak washing machine capacitor. Users must know information about the characteristics of washing machine capacitors that are already weakly functioning so that users can be more aware and can pay attention to capacitor components more regularly. There are 5 characteristics that can be considered for users if the washing machine capacitor is weak or damaged, namely:
1. The Duration of Washing Clothes Becomes Longer
The first feature that users can pay attention to when capacitor components are having problems is that the duration of washing clothes becomes longer. As it is known that the washer capacitor serves to move the dynamo with electric current. If the washer capacitor is weak, then the electricity to the dynamo becomes weak.
This can affect the performance of the washing machine and will certainly hinder the process of washing clothes. Weak capacitor components will make washing activities not optimal and only increase the burden on the washing machine user.
2. Just Hear a Buzzing Sound
One of the characteristics of weak washing machine capacitors is the appearance of buzzing sounds from the washing machine. The buzzing sound is not the sound of the washing machine moving, but what appears is only the sound while the dynamo of the washing machine does not move at all. This is influenced by the non-flow of electric current from the capacitor to the dynamo, thus making the washing machine immobile.
Users will certainly feel annoyed by this. Therefore, users need to pay more attention to whether the washing machine makes a sound and moves optimally or only makes a buzzing sound that indicates a weak capacitor.
3. Capacitors Look Inflated
After the user finds out the characteristics of the capacitor is damaged by making indirect observations. So to find out the state of the capacitor is weak or not, the user needs to check the capacitor directly. If the user finds the condition of the capacitor inflating or melting, then it is a characteristic of the washing machine capacitor being weak and already damaged.
If the user finds a capacitor condition like this, then the user’s washing machine can no longer function and must be serviced immediately. The melting and bubbles in the capacitor are caused because the user has left the capacitor working for too long when the capacitor is weak. Therefore, do not let the capacitor work continuously until damage occurs.
4. The Dynamo Does Not Rotate
As previously explained, the function of a capacitor is to channel electricity from the dynamo to the washing machine. So if the capacitor is weak, the user will experience an event that the washing machine dynamo does not rotate. This is because the capacitor is not strong enough to channel electric current to the dynamo which can affect the death of the washing machine.
5. Clothes Cannot Be Dried
The next characteristic of weak washing machine capacitors is felt by users when wearing the spin feature to dry clothes. The spin feature will not work optimally, because when drying clothes with the feature the dynamo will have to go the extra mile to rotate the washing machine. However, if the capacitor is in a weak state, the dynamo will work not optimally.
This will affect the user’s clothes to always be wet and cannot be dried with the spin washer feature. Of course this can hinder the process of washing clothes efficiently and quickly. Therefore, if the user experiences this, you should check the condition of the capacitor and immediately make repairs.
How to Overcome Weak Washing Machine Capacitors
Users already know information about the characteristics of weak washing machine capacitors, then users must also know how to overcome if this happens to the user’s washing machine. The way to fix this is simply to check the capacitor with 2 (two) tools to make sure the washing machine capacitor is weak or damaged.
1. Check Capacitors with Multitester
First, the user must have a tool called multitester. This tool serves to check the condition of the washing machine capacitor in a weak or damaged state. Basically, weak washing machine capacitors are not recommended to be replaced, but for prevention, users should check first. Here are the steps on how to use the multitester tool:
- Set up a multitester tool.
- Set the tool at ohm size x 1.
- Place the two ends of the multitester red and black wire probes on the terminal ends of the capacitor.
- Make sure the multitester needle is pointing towards the left. If the capacitor is weak, then the needle will continue to be on the right.
2. Check Capacitors Using Electric Current
It should be noted that to check the capacitors of this washing machine should only be done by people who are experts in the field of electricity, users are not advised to try it themselves at home. This can result in the threat of electrocution due to electric sparks. However, if the user wants to know the steps of checking it, can pay attention to the following ways:
- Prepare 2 pieces of large cables.
- Connect 2 large-sized wires with 2 capacitor wires.
- Plug the cable into the socket where there is electricity, do this for about 5-10 seconds only.
- Attach both ends of the cable to each other.
- If there is a spark when 2 wires come into contact, then the condition of the capacitor is still good and vice versa.
Those are some useful information for users who want to know the condition of their respective washing machine capacitors. The characteristic characteristics of weak washing machine capacitors can be checked by users themselves in an independent way or with the help of experts. In addition, if the capacitor condition of the washing machine is weak, the user has only two options, which is to leave it until it is damaged or can replace the capacitor as soon as possible.