How Does a Dryer Timer Work?
All clothes dryers have a timer that controls how long the dryer heats and spins. It runs for a set amount of time to correspond with a drying cycle you select. Once the timer starts, the dryer will continue to run until the timer reaches its end time or until clothes are dry, and then the timer will shut off the dryer. Does this Spark an idea?
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Location
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The timer on most clothes dryers is located on the dryer's front-facing control console. Depending on the dryer model you own, the timer is either a part of the large round knob that you manually turn to choose a drying cycle setting or it's a smaller dial placed near separate push-button drying cycle setting controls. Despite the difference in positioning, timers work essentially the same way on most dryers; they progress based on the time you set or the preprogrammed timed setting.
Manual and Automatic Drying Cycles
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Most clothes dryers feature two different drying cycle options. A manual drying cycle basically allows you to select the drying time for a certain laundry load you're drying. Conversely, an automatic drying cycle runs for a preset drying time based on the fabric type of the clothing you're drying. A timer works slightly differently for each option.
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Manual Drying Cycle Timer Operation
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If you select a manual drying cycle, you choose the amount of time your dryer runs and its heating temperature. Once you hit the start button, the timer will begin moving as soon as the air temperature in the drum reaches the operating temperature you selected (i.e., high, medium or low heat). The timer will stop at the end of the time period that you set it for, regardless of whether or not the clothes inside are dry. If the drying cycle ends and clothes are still wet, you can manually set the timer so that the dryer heats and spins longer.
Automatic Drying Cycle Timer Operation
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A dryer usually features several automatic drying cycle options that usually range from hot to low heat and various time amounts to correspond to the ideal estimated drying time for certain fabrics. If you run your dryer on an automatic setting, the timer won't progress until the drum's air temperature reaches its preprogrammed operating temperature. Once the temperature is reached, the timer will advance until a sensor in the dryer senses that the clothes are dry. When the sensor signals to the timer that the laundry is dry, the timer will shut off the dryer.
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References
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