Title 10

PART 430 APPENDIX J3



Appendix J3 to Subpart B of Part 430 - Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Moisture Absorption and Retention Characteristics of New Energy Test Cloth Lots

10:3.0.1.4.18.2.13.6.20 : Appendix J3

Appendix J3 to Subpart B of Part 430 - Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Moisture Absorption and Retention Characteristics of New Energy Test Cloth Lots Note:

DOE maintains an historical record of the standard extractor test data and final correction curve coefficients for each approved lot of energy test cloth. These can be accessed through DOE's Web page for standards and test procedures for residential clothes washers at DOE's Building Technologies Office Appliance and Equipment Standards Web site.

1. Objective

The following procedure is used to evaluate the moisture absorption and retention characteristics of a new lot of test cloth by measuring the remaining moisture content (RMC) in a standard extractor at a specified set of conditions. The results are used to develop a set of coefficients that correlate the measured RMC values of the new test cloth lot with a set of standard RMC values established as an historical reference point. These correction coefficients are applied to the RMC measurements performed during testing according to appendix J1 or appendix J2 to 10 CFR part 430 subpart B, ensuring that the final corrected RMC measurement for a clothes washer remains independent of the test cloth lot used for testing.

2. Definitions

2.1 AHAM means the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.

2.2 Bone-dry means a condition of a load of test cloth that has been dried in a dryer at maximum temperature for a minimum of 10 minutes, removed and weighed before cool down, and then dried again for 10 minute periods until the final weight change of the load is 1 percent or less.

2.3 Lot means a quantity of cloth that has been manufactured with the same batches of cotton and polyester during one continuous process.

3. Testing Conditions

3.1 Table 3.1 of this appendix provides the matrix of test conditions. In the table, “g Force” represents units of gravitational acceleration. When this matrix is repeated 3 times, a total of 60 extractor RMC test runs are required. For the purpose of the extractor RMC test, the test cloths may be used for up to 60 test runs (after preconditioning as specified in appendix J1 or appendix J2).

Table 3.1 - Matrix of Extractor RMC Test Conditions

“g Force” Warm soak Cold soak
15 min. spin 4 min. spin 15 min. spin 4 min. spin
100
200
350
500
650