Appliance Glossary
39 terms defined — the technical vocabulary of home appliances, from agitator to Wi-Fi module. If you have read a spec sheet, a service report, or a troubleshooting article and wondered what a term meant, it is probably explained here.
A
- ADA Compliant ApplianceAn appliance designed to meet Americans with Disabilities Act dimension and acce…
- AgitatorThe central post in a traditional top-load washer that twists back and forth to …
- AHRIAir-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute — the trade association t…
- Anti-Tip BracketA small bracket bolted to the floor or wall behind a freestanding range to preve…
- Auto Door Open (Dishwasher)A drying feature that automatically pops the dishwasher door open at the end of …
- Auto Load SensingA washer feature that measures load size at the start of the cycle and adjusts w…
B
C
- Child LockA panel-locking feature that prevents accidental cycle changes by curious hands.…
- CompressorThe mechanical heart of a refrigerator or air conditioner that pressurizes refri…
- Condenser CoilThe heat-exchange coil where refrigerant releases heat to the surrounding air.…
- ConvectionAn oven cooking mode that uses a fan to circulate hot air for faster, more even …
- Cycle TimeThe total elapsed time of an appliance cycle from start to finish.…
D
- dBA (A-weighted Decibels)A measure of sound level that weights frequencies the way the human ear perceive…
- Defrost CycleAn automatic cycle in frost-free freezers and heat pumps that periodically melts…
- Door GasketThe flexible seal around an appliance door that prevents air or water leakage.…
- DrumThe rotating cylindrical compartment inside a washer or dryer where the load tum…
E
F
H
I
L
M
P
R
S
- SEERSeasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio — the standard rating for cooling efficiency.…
- Sensor DryA dryer mode that uses moisture sensors inside the drum to stop the cycle when t…
- Soft-CloseA door or drawer feature that decelerates the close motion to prevent slamming.…
- Spray ArmThe rotating arm in a dishwasher that distributes pressurized wash water onto th…
T
- Thermal FuseA one-time-use safety device that opens permanently if an appliance overheats.…
- ThermistorA temperature sensor whose electrical resistance varies predictably with tempera…
- Top-Mount RefrigeratorThe traditional refrigerator design with a small freezer compartment on top of t…
- TubThe outer water-holding compartment of a washer or dishwasher, surrounding the r…