Table 2.

Overview of the durability testing procedure.

Step	Test cycle #	Details of the step
1. Pre-conditioning, set-up and preparation	–	Installation of measurement devices. Marking of the machine on the floor. Conditioning of the load.
2. Initial inspection	–	To be done visually outside and inside the machine. Time-temperature-spin diagrams of all relevant programmes with empty load, with and without applying time reduction options.
3. Testing
Performance tests (10 cycles) – series I	1–10	Normalisation of the load. Washing cycles: -2 cycles with normal cotton 40 °C programme at half load, -3 cycles with normal cotton 40 °C programme at full load, -2 cycles with normal cotton 60 °C programme at half load, -3 cycles with normal cotton 60 °C programme at full load.
Stress tests (100 cycles) – series I	11–110	In arbitrary order: 70% rinse and spin cycles (two third load) and 30% washing cycles (half load). Washing cycles: -10 cycles with normal cotton 40 °C -10 cycles with normal cotton 30 °C -5 cycles with normal cotton 60 °C -5 cycles with normal cotton cold (20 °C) Average temperature of the washing programme = ∼40 °C
Performance tests (10 cycles) – series II	111–120	As for test cycles #1–10.
Stress tests (100 cycles) – series II	121–220	As for test cycles #11–110.
Performance tests (10 cycles) – series III	221–230	As for test cycles #1–10.
Stress tests (100 cycles) – series III	230–330	As for test cycles #11–110.
Performance tests (10 cycles) – series IV	331–340	As for test cycles #1–10.
Stress tests (100 cycles) – series IV	341–440	As for test cycles #11–110.
Performance tests (10 cycles) – series V	441–450	As for test cycles #1–10.
4. Final examination	–	To be done outside and inside of the machine. Parts may be extracted and taken apart.