AN1479/0102

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AN1479

APPLICATION NOTE

HIGH-PERFORMANCE MOTOR SYSTEM

FOR WASHING MACHINES

by Motor Control Competence Center

INTRODUCTION

Due to increasing consumer awareness of the need for preserving the environment and re-

ducing greenhouse-effect gas emissions, washing machine manufacturers have undertaken

advanced studies over the past few years that are designed to reduce the water and power

consumption of their machines. They have also been encouraged to do this by European and

American governments who have passed legislative measures both in technical fields as well

as in the field of consumer information.

These energy saving measures involve improving the performance and efficiency of the types

of motors used.

With a reduction of 200 Watts-hour per wash load (not including drying process), 300 cycles

per year and 60 million washing machines sold each year worldwide, the potential amount of

energy saved adds up to 4 billion kWh, i.e. approximately 4 million tons less of carbon dioxide

in the atmosphere. Accumulated over three years and applied to refrigerators and household

air-conditioning systems in the same manner, it is estimated that 200 million tons of carbon di-

oxide emissions can be eliminated. This would help to efficiently reduce the harmful conse-

quences of the greenhouse effect.

For all these reasons, STMicroelectronics, in collaboration with major market players, has

been driven to develop electronic motor control components that improve the output of equip-

ment and also significantly reduce acoustic noise levels. These benefits are greatly appreci-

ated by consumers.

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