You get a variety of choices when you venture to purchase a washing machine for your home. One of the recent ones is the ‘Inverter washing machines.’
At first glance, it might seem that we are referring to washing machines that can run on the home inverter. However, that is not the case.
Inverter washing machines run of a specific technology that enables you to save considerable power. Let us see what inverter technology in the washing machine is all about.
An analogy – To explain inverter technology better
Most of us have a car. When we need to accelerate, we step on the accelerator lever thereby resulting in the supply of more fuel to the engine resulting in faster speeds. Similarly, by reducing the pressure on the accelerator, we slow down the vehicle. The inverter technology in washing machines is somewhat similar.
Inverter technology
In the ordinary course, the washing machine motor runs at the same speed irrespective of the load inside the machine. Hence, you see the machines consuming the same amount of electricity even if the load is considerably low.
It is not necessary to run at full speeds when you have low loads. Inverter technology enables the washing machines to run at optimum loads depending on the load on the machine.
A conventional washing machine works at maximum efficiency when there is an optimum load. However, you do not have the same load every day. The inverter washing machine allows the motor to function at speeds that are optimal for the load inside the machine.
How does the technology work?
The inverter technology works by sensors detecting the load on the washing machine. Depending on the load, it determines the optimum speed at which the machines should run. Naturally, it results in the optimization of the consumption of electricity.
This process involves the use of Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) motors or Brushless motors as you commonly refer to them. Therefore, you have a washing machine motor capable of running at variable speeds depending on the load.
In conventional technology, you have a lot of moving parts like gears and belts along with the motor. These machines consume a lot of electricity because of the friction. They also make a lot of noise.
On the other hand, the inverter motors are bulkier, but they are more efficient in comparison to conventional motors. These motors do not make much noise because of the lack of moving parts. There is no friction as well thereby resulting in a reduction in electricity consumption.
Thus, we can state that a motor that works on the Digital inverter technology or the Inverter Direct Drive technology is a highly efficient machine.
Inverter Direct Drive technology
In such machines, you find the motor directly connected to the drum without using a belt or a pulley. You have lesser mechanical parts thereby ensuring the least energy dissipation. Therefore, you end up with a highly efficient machine that makes less vibration and noise.
It is also referred to as smart inverter technology as you can control some of these washing machines using your smartphones. The LG washing machine is one such appliance.
Why should people welcome digital inverter technology in washing machines?
Energy conservation is the order of the day. Using the digital inverter technology helps you conserve energy because these washing machines consume power depending on the load on the device. These machines working in the smart inverter technology have a longer lifespan.
Hence, the manufacturers offer an extended warranty period of nearly ten years on these machines.
What are the advantages of Digital Inverter Motor?
- The Digital Inverter motor is a brushless motor. Hence, it does not make much noise and is cooler in comparison to the conventional motor.
- These inverter motors consume less electricity than conventional motors.
- These motors do not have movable parts like gears, shafts, and belts. Hence, they require less maintenance. It also explains why manufacturers offer extended warranties on such motors.
Which brands manufacture the inverter washing machines?
Some of the top brands manufacturing inverter washing machines are LG, Samsung, and Bosch. There are other brands like Midea, IFB, and Whirlpool. You get both the front loading and top load machines with inverter technology. Similarly, there are both semi-automatics as well as fully automatic washing machines equipped with inverter technology.
Inference
Washing machines are convenience appliances. Every house has one in today’s times. The conventional washing machines consume more electricity than the inverter washing machines. Hence, it is better to switch over to the inverter washing machines. They are comparatively expensive initially, but you recover the costs through savings in electricity.
An inverter is simply an electronic device that converts DC to AC. Nothing more, nothing less, and nothing complicated. “Inverter technology” was around in the nineteenth century.
Under your “How does the technology work?” heading, you are ascribing all sorts of magic to an inverter which it does not demonstrate. Load sensing has nothing to do with the presence or otherwise of an inverter. And direct drive motors don’t need to be AC either, they can be BLDC.
Until more recently, inverters required some expensive high-power electronic devices. The price and availability of such devices has now arrived at a point where it becomes possible to put them inside a domestic appliance.
Of course, you have to rectify your mains AC first, so there’s that, and your rectifier has to be able to deliver 1kW or more. As does your inverter.
Using an inverter, AC induction motors can be controlled by varying the frequency of the AC. This is, indeed, quite handy.
A lot of modern washing machines now have brushless DC motors (BLDC). As the name says, these are DC and require no inverter. The speed control is by voltage variation, on the controller board. BLDC motors can be very compact.
Finally, the “digital inverter” is a product of an advertising person getting carried away with the term “digital” and using it as shorthand for “brand-new, up to date, magic”. Sigh. While the inverters may well be switched-mode, that doesn’t make them “Digital”.
On the other hand, the inverter motors are bulkier, but they are more efficient in comparison to conventional motors. These motors do not make much noise because of the lack of moving parts. There is no friction as well thereby resulting in a reduction in electricity consumption.
More like >> LESS MOVING PARTS but > NO FRICTION ?
Otherwise an interesting article.
So having an inverter motor implies direct drive, or inverter motors can have a belt also?
Inverter Technology motors are available in both Direct Drive and Belt drive machines.
Any idea of the percentage savings between Conventional vs Inverter vs Inverter Direct Drive technology??
What is the volts supply for the inverter washing machine? Is it ac or dc voltage supply? Also, can convert it to manual timer if the supply board is defective?
Very good explanation. Thank you.
which one is best with inverter or without inverter
Inverter models consume less power, make less noise and are more durable.
good article.. IFB does not have inverter washing machines
Descriptive, Informative, helpful and useful blog