Introduction

Electric motors energize machines that clean our clothes, wash our dishes, and heat and cool our homes. Table 5.1 lists a number of household appliances that can use some type of electronic controls. Designing electronics for appliances is a challenging endeavor because of the nature of these products. An electronic appliance control, by itself, is seldom perceived as a key selling feature, unless it can make the appliance easier to use and more reliable. This is an area in which design challenges constantly occur, and important discoveries or inventions are created. It is not ordinarily an easy task to reduce or even maintain the cost of a design, while, at the same time, improving its performance and longevity.