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Why do Washing Machines Lock? It is essential to know how a washing machine lock functions and the essence of its existence. So, why do washing machines lock? The machine lid lock function is a safety feature that guarantees safety while using the washing machine. As the machine performs its functions, the cycles will not make the washing machine open. The washing process is characterized by different cycles, and the washing machine lock prevents the lid from opening. The particular cycles incorporate load sensing and spin. It is possible to get bodily harm from the cycles, particularly the spin cycle. If the washer opens and someone tries to access its contents, there will be bodily harm that can prove to be dangerous. When you have children in your home, the machine lock will assure you of the children’s safety when the machine is being used. Although people do everything to prevent their children from getting themselves involved in dangers, they can maneuver their ways to get involved in the same things we toil to protect them from. Therefore, appliances like washers have been made with extra features to enhance safety in your home. Indeed, with a washing machine lock, it is not easy to get children involved in accidents in the home. From 2015, it has been a requirement for manufacturers to have safety lids with locks to enhance security and safety. However, it is needful to remember that some machines did not come with lid locks. It was not mandatory, and the manufacturers were not obligated to provide lid-locked appliances. After 2015, all machines have lid locks as a requirement. What does a cycle do? There is a need to look at a load sensing cycle and determine its purpose. The function of the load sense cycle is to determine the quantity of water required to get the machine filled. This is a smart calculation that the sensor will perform, informed by the load in the machine. An incorrect choice of load will fail in getting the washer to provide sufficient water for the laundry. During this process, the lid remains locked. The purpose of this locking is to guard against any disruption until the water gets filled. The washer will spin the basin to ensure that excess water doesn’t remain on the clothes. Due to the speed at which this process is performed, the lid closes and locks for safety reasons. This is a good thing as the spin is extremely powerful and can cause harm to anyone handling the washing machine.This is what is generally referred to as the spin cycle. Measuring the speed ,the spinning basin is calculated by rotations per minute. This addresses the times this rotates in every single minute. The relevance of this is the determining of the speed at which a washer performs in a cycle. Modern washers are known to spin up to 1600 rpm (Rotations Per Minute). However, older washers oscillate between 800 and 1000 rpm. Wait a minute, have you considered how fast that is? It is very fast indeed! This is an incredible speed. This speed is dangerous. Assume someone got their hand stuck in the washer?This is sufficient speed to break their bones and cause other grievous harm. The role of the lid lock can never be more critical than in such potential dangers. Consequently, it is needful to ensure that the lid lock feature is functional and active as you go about washing your laundry. How Do Washing Machines Lock The Door? The purpose of the door needs to be locked to ensure that it is safe from opening as the washer runs. This is achieved by using a bi-metal part that is installed in the inner part of the door lock. However,some door locks do not use bi-metals.Some manufacturers whose washing machines use sophisticated systems to lock the door immediately the motor runs at high speeds. Others lock the door when there is water in the washing machine. All in all, most of the washing machines you see around use a bimetal as the lock feature in the machine. In addition to this being cheap, it is also very effective. The functioning of the bimetal may seem miraculous to many.To have this device work, there is a combination of two metals on top of each other. The metals have different properties.There is an electrical connection found inside the lock, powering an electrical coil after the door is closed. This will shift the electrical power to another connection and then pass power to the other parts of the machine. When you turn off the power, there will be a cooling of the metal strip after a few minutes, and the back will be straightened, releasing the door. How Do I Know If My Washing Machine Has A Lock Feature? It is not funny that many people may not even notice the lock feature in their machines. Indeed, it’s only a few homeowners who are conversant with the lid lock safety feature that is available in their washing machines. But why can people overlook such an essential part of the machine? The decades that washers have been around in our homes are many, and there have been many advancements. There is a difference between the lid lock feature and the lid switch feature. Unlike the lid lock feature, a lid switch does nothing more than simply preventing the washer from operating with an open lid. On the other hand, the lid lock feature effectively locks the lid as the washer performs specific cycles. The additional feature is an adequate safety precaution that many washing machines have. All safety components in home appliances need to be respected. This ensures safety on the part of the user. Without strict adherence to safety precautions, many hazards can be faced with devastating results. However,as long as you adhere to all safety and security precautions in various home appliances, there are many conveniences to be enjoyed. It is crucial to ensure that all safety precautions are taken care of before operating any home appliance. A user’s manual can be a blessing in this regard. Unfortunately, many people do not have any time to read the manual of any appliance they buy.They believe that they know everything. But, don’t you think that this is a bit naïve, ignoring the manufacturer who knows everything about the appliance? It is high time people stopped ignoring owner’s manuals. Must I Use The Lid Lock Feature? You do not have to use the lid lock feature.Indeed, you can even bypass it. If you need to bypass the feature,you will need to disengage it. To do this, you need first to switch off the washer and unplug it from the power connection. After this, move your machine some distance from the wall to enable seeing the back. At the back, you will notice some securing screws or securing tabs holding the panel in place. Press the securing tabs or remove the screws. Once removed, you can now access the panel. At the underside of the panel, locate the lid switch. It has its port and if fit at the washer’s back. After this, you need to ensure that you have succeeded in bypassing the lock. You will need to plug your washer again and then turn it on. Peradventure, you can lift the lid as the machine runs; you are safe to go. You may also disrupt the lid lock by using the pause button. This is only available in newer models, though. But why would anyone want to bypass the safety feature? The answer to this question is simple. It is easy to start the washer and then realize that you have forgotten something that would have gone inside. Indeed, laundry can be not only overwhelming but also tormenting.Therefore, you need to have access to the washer as it runs so that you may throw in some more fabrics as the machine runs. Can You Know If A Door Lock Is Faulty? Before taking any measurements or readings from a modern washer machine, ensure that the machine has not operated for the last five minutes. You may need to wait if the machine has just been stopped. Although the machine has been stopped, the process is more complex than that. Indeed, the machine’s motor control unit receives a “Stop” command only after the motor speed is 0 and 180 seconds have passed. Your washing machine's door latch only unlocks after the washer temperatures decline to under 12 degrees. Some situations may dictate that the fabric drain before unlocking. Fabrics like wool will be at the top of this list. It is not easy to get this, but it is not impossible. You will need to get the readings on your ohmmeter. Unfortunately, when you try to test, all you get maybe a resistance reading on your meter. Between the live and neutral wires, there is some significant resistance. But you are looking for a high resistance reading, like 1000 Ohm. You will need to use the elimination method to get to the root. If you know how a washing machine works, it will not be hard to know why it is not working. After establishing that your door lock is faulty, you will want to find out the reason behind that. First, look for any connection faults. It is not uncommon to have wires overheat and burn. Again, there might be a lack of power due to an open circuit or even a neutral return. Again, the door latch may fail to activate the door lock properly. All these can occasion faults in the door lock. The coil may also have an open circuit or develop some mechanical faults.These will prevent the proper operation of the door lock. When you have burned wires or poor connections, you will not have a functional door lock. In all these problems, it is best to replace the door lock system as the lock will be overheated.Using it may not be appropriate. How Can I Reset My Washing Machine? Reasons for resetting a washer abound.When you unplug a washer,you typically disconnect any power from the machine. This acts as resetting the machine. After unplugging the machine, any cycles the machine is in will be disrupted and stopped. This resets the machine. Before you unplug the machine, all the knobs on the washer’s front must be turned off first. You need to do this before you even consider unplugging the machine. There are many reasons you may want to reset a washer. In addition to releasing the lid lock, any direct issue affecting the locking mechanism will be resolved by a reset. You will also find that some modern machines have reset buttons on the front of the machines.These are located where you have other buttons. When you realize that there is an uncontrollable shaking while washing, this is a result of imbalanced loads, this comes as a result of insufficient clothes in the machine, and resetting it will solve the problem. When you reset a washer, you might be able to enjoy its services as before. Additionally, you will be able to make fresh settings according to your preference. Conclusion Washing machines are a convenience in today’s world.They come with so many benefits and convenience that it is hard to imagine how life can turn out to be without them. These appliances are packed with safety features, and the safety lock is among them. The lock is meant to prevent any accidents should the lid open while spinning clothes. There are many ways you can check if your safety features are operational to ensure safety as you continue with your laundry.

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