Abstract: A washer and a method of determining a load weight are disclosed. The washer includes a tub which stores clothes to be washed, and a motor which rotates the tub. It further includes a microprocessor which measures an acceleration time during which the motor rotates up to a certain speed, and a deceleration time during which the motor comes from another certain speed to a full stop. Then, the microprocessor determines the load weight by using at least one of the acceleration and the deceleration times.

Abstract: A washer and a method of performing a spinning operation are disclosed. The washer includes a tub which stores clothes to be washed, and a motor which rotates the tub. It also includes a microprocessor which generates a pump driving signal having duty ratios to power on and off a drain pump during at least one preliminary and a main sub-cycles of a selected spinning operation. The method of performing the spinning operation includes accelerating, decelerating, and maintaining a certain speed during the at least one preliminary sub-cycle of the spinning operation. However, the main sub-cycle includes accelerating and maintaining another certain speed. According to the principles of the present invention, the washer and the method of performing the spinning operation prevent the drain pump from not only overheating but also creating power loss.