Old Washer Spin Enable Switches: A mercury type spin-stop lid or door safety switch was used on most automatic washer appliance models until very recently.
This device is mounted by a bracket to the lid hinge.
This position ensures proper operation of the appliance, which depends on mercury within the capsule to make or break the contact.
When the appliance owner raises the lid during spin, the mercury in the switch capsule runs away from the switch contacts, and the timer circuit to the spin solenoid is broken.
Most appliance manufacturers have now found it advantageous to employ a small switch or micro-switch, to stop the spin action.
An actuator protruding from the lid of the automatic washer causes the switch to open before the lid is raised 2 inches.
Electrical, either type of spin-stop lid or door safety switch is usually connected to wires between the spin solenoid and the timer.
In this way, when the operator raises the lid during spin, the switch opens and the timer circuit to the spin solenoid is broken.
By keeping the actuator clean and free of debris, you can avoid unwanted appliance repair service calls.
Appliance Balance Switch: During the wash period of your washer, there is comparatively little stress to cause the appliance to move around on the floor.
In the high-speed spin, a great amount of centrifugal force is build up in the appliance, and it is particularly noticeable if the clothes load is not evenly distributed around the washer tub.
Many items such as a heavy blanket or coat could tend to concentrate the load on one side of the inner washer tub.
Most washing machines are designed to take an off-balance condition with no bad effects.
Excessive force can result in centrifugal stresses that could cause the appliance to move or walk across the floor.
Most automatic washers are equipped with an off-balance or out-of-balance switch that stops the washer from spinning and causes a buzzing sound at any point in the cycle when an off-balance condition occurs.
On some of the appliances, the master timer knob switch was in series with a single-pole double solenoid.
When an unbalanced condition occurs, the switch closes the circuit to the switch in the off-balance position.
This removes electricity to all the washer's functional parts, stopping the cycle and thus avoiding a costly repair.
The user then must redistribute the load more evenly in the washer tub, pull the timer dial out to de-energize the solenoid, and allow the switch to rest, and the push the timer dial in.
This again closes the circuit to the normally active parts of the washer and washing machine.