- The operation of a washing machine starts with its installation in the home. Without proper installation, a washing machine isn't capable of doing much. Every washing machine is connected into both the water and electrical systems of the home. Through the electrical lines, which are often on a dedicated circuit to avoid blown fuses, power is supplied to a motor inside of the machine. The machine is also hooked up to both cold and hot water supply lines, with a solenoid inside the machine that controls the flow of water from each. When you turn the knob or push a button to select the temperature of the wash, you are telling the solenoid how much hot and cold water to allow into the machine during this load. Finally, drain lines are connected to the machine to dispose of wash water.
- After the solenoid directs the water lines to supply water, the washing machine begins to fill up. Once the water is inside the machine, it is controlled by a pump. The pump moves water from the supply lines into the drum where the clothes are located. Water pours into the top of the drum so that it covers all of the clothes, then settles down towards the bottom of the drum. From there, the pump recirculates the water back to the top of the drum so that it can continue to be used for washing. After the clothes have been cleaned, the pump directs the water to drain lines, which are connected to a storage tank below the drum. This allows the washing process to continue as the water is draining, helping to shorten the wash cycle.
- The actual cleaning process in a washing machine is controlled by a motor. The motor, or drive mechanism, is capable of spinning two ways. During the first half of the cycle, after the machine has been filled with water, the motor spins the drum back and forth to clean the clothes, a process called "agitating." After this part of the cycle ends, the clothes enter a spin cycle, where the motor directs the drum to spin very quickly in one direction. This motion helps the machine's pump pull all of the water out of the clothes and remove it from the drum. The motor is encased in its own water-tight compartment to protect it from leaks and damage.
