How Does Dexter’s A-Series Compare Against Traditional Two-Speed Motor Washers?

With utility and fuel costs surging, laundry owners are demanding greater efficiency from their equipment than ever before.

In commercial washers, the motor is the major power consuming component. For a washer to consume less power, you need a motor that operates in a more efficient manner and that has greater controls over power usage.

This is where Dexter’s A-Series delivers against traditional two-speed washers. A-Series washers can help store owners realize substantial power savings with increased motor efficiency, reduction in peak demands, lower effect on the power factor, and increased spin speeds.

Increased Motor Efficiency:
Dexter’s A-Series washers have a new inverter rated motor that is more efficient than those in older two-speed models. This motor brings greater efficiency by handling the voltage spikes that can occur with traditional two-speed motors and utilizes better wiring, an improved winding design and decreased mechanical losses. This also reduces the internal heat that builds up during use and helps the A-Series motors meet maximum efficiency standards.

Reduced Power Peaks:
Commercial laundries have high utility needs and this large demand, particularly during busy periods, can cause strain on equipment and on the laundry’s electrical usage.

Two-speed motor washers have no control over their acceleration rate. This limits the time required to reach a desired speed, causing the current peak of the two-speed motor washer to be uncontrolled.

In a Dexter A-Series washer, the variable frequency drive controls the rate at which the motor accelerates to a required speed. It also has parameter settings that can limit the current draw during this acceleration time period. This controlled peak demand can lower electricity rates, helping laundry owners save money.

Improved Power Factor:
A third important influence in utility costs is known as the power factor, which is the ratio between the real power and the apparent power.

A traditional motor will decrease the power factor, causing real power to increase. This causes more strain on the equipment and increases utility costs in more power usage and increased power load.

Dexter’s A-Series washers have very little effect on the power factor, since the motor is not directly connected to the power supply line. The variable frequency drive prevents the power factor from decreasing, saving the laundry owner money in both short and long term utility costs.

Additional Spin Speed:
While two-speed washers only have a tumble speed and a one-spin speed, Dexter’s A-series washers provide three speeds -- a tumble speed, an intermediate spin speed, and a fi nal extract spin speed.

The intermediate spin speed is used during the wash cycle to remove soap from the washer load, and is slower than the spin speed of the two-speed motor. This greatly reduces power consumption, lowering utility costs in return.

The final extract speed is faster and is used to remove water from the load, reducing both drying energy costs and allowing for quicker customer turnover by also reducing drying time.

Energy Usage Comparison Between Dexter A-Series & Two-Speed Washers

The following information is a comparison between a Dexter A-Series (VFD) and N-Series (two-speed) T-400 washer. The results prove more than a 50% power savings using A-Series with either single or three phase voltage.

• Metering Device: E-Mon Corporation, Model 208100, Digital Kilowatt/Demand Meter.
• All readings are taken after each complete washer cycle. All washer cycles are with 1-Wash and 2-Rinses (Factory default 23 Minute cycle).