Candidate Support Pack - Scottish Qualifications Authority

If your machine has a PLC (Programmed Logic Computer) installed with all the wash
processes programmed into it, ensure you have a clearly labelled list of all the programme
numbers posted on the front of the washing machine beside the PLC unit, so that the
programme number can be easily identified and selected.
All of the PLCs should have a password protection system inbuilt so that nobody other
than a suitably trained or authorised person can get into the wash programmes and make
any changes.
With process cards or drums — these should only be prepared by a suitably trained and
qualified person as even small errors in the sequence of the process steps can cause
damage to the machine or the wrong sequence of process steps.
Never change or alter any aspect of these pre-programmed wash processes unless
you have been trained and are authorised to do so.
Machine fault recognition and remedial action
It is essential that you are familiar with all of the controls and accessories that have been
fitted onto the washer extractors under your control. All washer extractors will have certain
minimum controls that are readily visible, eg wash programme controller, on/off switches
and emergency stop buttons. However, depending upon the style or type of equipment,
there will be other important accessories that are 'hidden' inside the machine covers.
The key areas that you should continuously monitor as you are working on the machines
are:
• Rotational direction: All washing machines rotate backwards and forwards and should
rotate for the same number of revolutions in both directions at the same speed. If they
rotate more in one direction than the other, the work inside the machine will become a
tangled lump making it very difficult and time consuming to unload. The reason for this
can be a fault has developed on the electrical reversing controller or the drive belts may
have stretched or become wet and are slipping on the drive shaft.
• Dip levels: Some washing machines will have a dip level sight glass which is readily
visible and located to one side of the machine. With other machines this sight glass
may be hidden inside the machine covers — but, almost all washer extractors have a
glass panel in the loading/unloading door so that you can see what is happening inside
the washing machine. Depending upon the stage of the wash process, different dip
levels are required and by careful observation of the dip level and being able to read
the process card, it should be possible to visibly assess if the right amount of water is in
the machine. Variations in the water or dip level will have a major impact on both the
costs as well as the quality of the work produced. Faults can develop with faulty water
inlet or drain valves or the sensors in the dip measuring tube.
• Temperature controls: All washing machines will have a thermostat prominently
displayed on the front panel. This tells you the temperature of the water inside the
washing machine and it is essential that process target wash temperatures are
maintained for each stage of the wash process.
GC8N 22 — Laundry Operations Level 2 5.35