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(A work in progress - check back often!)
Glossary of
Appliance Terms
The 'P' page
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Pressure
switch
(also see 'water level switch') -
An electrical switch that is operated by pressure, usually air pressure,
acting on a diaphragm. Used mainly in clothes washers to determine water
fill level by switching off the water fill valve and turning on the
timer or 'telling' the electronic control it's time to start the
agitation process.
Product
temperature
- I
refer here to measuring temperature in refrigerators and freezers. Its
generally better to use 'product', or the stored food, temperature,
rather than air temperature, because PT is more stable. As soon as a
refrigerator is opened, for example, air temperature climbs, but
product, or food temperature, doesn't change nearly as fast. (I always
look for a pickle jar when taking a refrigerator's PT, because chances
are it hasn't been out lately, warming on a counter, and will probably
return an accurate reading from inside the refrig.)
PTC
(positive temperature coefficient) relay
– a solid-state device whose electrical resistance increases as its
temperature increases. Widely used for starting household refrigerator
and freezer compressors. Replaces earlier-style, inductive contactor
type relays. Was supposed to be more reliable, but has not proven to be
(is cheaper to manufacture, though).
Pulsator
(1-18) – Frigidaire’s early term for their ‘up and down’ washer
agitator – the most efficient top load agitation system ever designed,
IMO.
Pump
– Device used to move liquids, usually by means of a centrifugal
impeller.
Push
to start switch
– Describes the simple switch used to initiate the start of a cycle in
an appliance. We think mainly of dryers and trash compactors when we
hear this.
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