Operation Overview - GE DCCH480EK Technical Service Manual

Characteristics of a Condenser Dryer
A condenser clothes dryer is a machine that looks just like a conventional tumble clothes dryer, but does not
require an external vent. For the consumer, operation of both types of dryers is essentially the same - the
difference is in the internal design.
In a vented clothes dryer, air is drawn from the surrounding area (i.e. the laundry room), then heated and
blown thru the clothes as the drum tumbles them about. This hot air evaporates some of the water in the
damp fabrics, and the resultant moisture-laden air is then exhausted thru a vent duct to the outside.
In a condenser dryer, there are two separate "loops". The inside "loop" of air is sealed from the outside
environment - air from within the drum is heated, and then blown thru the tumbling clothes. The moisture-
laden air is passed thru a "condenser", where the water re-condenses.
Some condenser dryer models are air-cooled. They use the ambient room air as a heat sink by blowing
it across the outside of the condenser. These dryers tend to heat the indoor air in one's laundry room
signifi cantly. Note however that ONLY heat is released – all MOISTURE is contained within the unit. The
condensed water can be either pumped away to a drain line (e.g. into a standpipe shared with the clothes
washer) or stored in a container within the dryer to be emptied later.
The typical dryer cycle progresses as follows:
1. A cycle is selected and the START/PAUSE button is pressed.
2. The motor is activated. The drum motor rotates the drum at a speed of approximately 50 rpm
(revolutions per minute).
3. The heater elements are activated. The elements cycle on and off to achieve the desired temperature
throughout the heating portion of the cycle.
4. If sensor drying is selected, the heater elements are activated. The elements cycle on and off until the
load has achieved the desired dryness level.
5. If timed drying is selected, the heater elements are activated and cycle on and off for the selected time
at the selected temperature.
6. The heater coils discontinue operation after the dryness level or elapsed time has been achieved.
7. The motor continues operating until the clothes temperature drops below a specifi ed temperature (cool
down).
9. The display turns off.
Temperature Control
Overall heater temperature is regulated by means of an inlet thermistor, located above the heater assembly,
and an outlet thermistor, located below the lint fi lter.
Two safety thermostats are located on top of the heater assembly. The auto reset thermostat opens at 212°F
(100°C) and closes at 176°F (80°C). If the auto reset thermostat reaches a temperature beyond its maximum
temperature rating, it will cut power to the heating elements.
The manual reset thermostat opens at 293°F (145°C) and can only be closed manually. If the manual reset
thermostat reaches a temperature beyond its maximum temperature rating, it will cut power to the heating
elements and the control board, thereby terminating dryer operation.

Operation Overview

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