Dave's
Dictionary of
Appliance Terms
The 'T' page
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Tall
tub
– Refers to the newer style of dishwashers with large tanks that extend
nearly to the floor. They provide more interior space, but have their
drawbacks. The design requires a horizontal axis motor/pump assy, a type
that historically has been trouble-prone. Most servicers dislike them
due to their inherent service access difficulties, with only a few
inches of service area available between the floor and tank bottom.
Temperature differential
– Degrees of difference between the ‘cut-in’ and ‘cut-out’ of a temp
control system. For example, in an oven, when set for 350F, the actual
temperature may cycle from 325F to 375F. The diff in that case would be
50F.
Thermal fuse
– Any of the ‘one-time’ (non-resettable) temperature-sensitive devices
used mainly in heating applications as ‘last ditch’ protection against
overheating when other components fail. Commonly used in clothes dryers
and microwave ovens, they’re designed to open within a precisely defined
temperature rating. When they were first introduced, I admit to being
skeptical about their being needed. But they’ve prevented many house
fires over the years, by shutting down dryer heating elements, and I’ve
become a believer.
Thermal limiter
– Loosely defined, this is very similar to a thermal fuse, but in some
cases, devices falling under this name can be resettable.
Thermistor
– The combination of the two words ‘resistor’ and ‘thermo’, this is
simply a resistor whose electrical resistance varies with temperature
change.
A very handy device
indeed, used for temperature control in more and more appliances these
days. The varying resistance of one of these little gems is read by a
cpu, which then ‘decides’ based on its programming whether to turn
heating relays on or off, etc. Ovens, dryers, refrigerators, some
clothes washer water systems, and other appliances are seeing these
used, and it turns out they’re very reliable semiconductors.
Thermostat
– A switch that opens and closes based on heat rise or fall. Most are
operated either by a piece of bimetal or small hydraulic systems charged
with a chemical whose expansion and contraction operates the switch
contacts.
Timed
dry
– In a clothes dryer, this refers to the cycle that runs for x minutes,
then turns off, whether the laundry’s dry or not, with no actual
moisture sensing involved.
Timer
– Probably hardly needs mention, as we’re all familiar with these. In
appliances, these are the ’mechanical brains’ that determine what the
appliance does, and how long it does it before doing something else. For
example, agitation and spin times in an ‘analog’ (non electronic
control) clothes washer are determined by this device.
Timer
contacts
– The set of switches in a timer that open and close to energize a
machine’s various components at the proper time.
Timer
motor
– A small asynchronous electric motor that physically rotates the timer
dial (usually clockwise here in the states, for whatever reason).
Top freezer
(Or ‘top-mount’) – refrigerator design with the freezer on top, fresh
food section/door on the bottom. Currently the most popular design.
Top
loader
– A washer that’s loaded with laundry from above, versus from in front.
Years ago some dishwashers also loaded this way, too.
Transmission
(or gearcase) – Thinking here of the case, usually metal, that contains
a washer’s drive system, including its drive gears and input and output
shafts. Filled with heavy oil or grease to keep the gears lubricated,
this case is sealed, for the most part, although most have a tiny ‘weep
hole’ to allow for lubricant expansion.
Triac
– Think of this as a solid-state relay that can be turned on/off many
times per second, and you’ll understand how handy one can be for a ton
of modern uses.
Trim
ring
– That nice circle of chrome around conventional range surface burners.
Triple
dispenser
– Hated by most servicers I know, the term itself isn’t used much any
more. Thankfully, modern detergent/fabric softener/bleach dispensers in
washers are much more reliable than the old ‘3X’ ones were. The idea is
to dispense the right amount of each solution into the wash at the right
time, saving the user from doing it.
Tub
ring
– If you still have little boys at home, then this’ll mean something
other than what we’re talking about <grin>. Here I’m referring to a
top-load washer tub’s top cover, basically a large donut-shaped cap that
seals the top of the tub. Also closes down the gap between the top of
the basket and the tub, to help prevent small articles of laundry from
escaping into the tub.
Turntable motor
– Remember phonograph records? OK, never mind… This refers to the small
electrical motor that rotates a microwave ‘carousel’ to help provide
even cooking. That’s the theory, anyway. In actual practice, a well
designed stirrer will do a better job, but it looks so much ‘cooler’
when the food spins around in there!
Turntable
(carousel) – tray inside a microwave oven, square, rectangular, or
round, made of a special high iron content glass. Catches spills, lifts
food up off the cavity floor to provide more efficient cooking, and
absorbs excess energy, to protect the magnetron when small loads (like
my half-cup of coffee) are heated.
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