Washing card system
In Switzerland it is common practice to distribute the costs for washing and drying laundry in communal laundry rooms in apartment buildings using so-called washing machine counter switches. Since this method is mostly only suitable for new buildings due to the installation effort , various providers offer so-called wash card systems . With these devices, the billing takes place either through loaded prepaid cards from which the amount is debited, or there is an accumulation in the system and the evaluation or billing takes place at a later point in time by reading out the device memory. In the past, such devices (also called coin counters) were loaded directly with cash, that is, money was inserted according to the set tariff and the washing machine or tumbler could be used for a correspondingly long time . However, since the devices were broken into more and more frequently, users approached the manufacturers with the request to develop burglar-proof systems - as an alternative to switching to tokens . As a result, these washing card systems came into being - through the use of chip cards or other means of identification (e.g. RFID cards) there was no longer any cash in it , so breaking it was no longer worthwhile. Due to the progressive development and the involvement of the users, the systems became better and better and completely new application possibilities could be opened up (prepayment for various areas such as showers on campsites, lighting of sports fields, etc.)
The way it works is generally very simple:
- User inserts the user card (e.g. a chip card )
- The preset amount is debited - documentation is provided on the LC display that is usually available
- Electricity is released for the consumer (or consumers) until the amount is used up
- Electricity is turned off
There are often two "basic designs":
- For a consumer
- For two consumers
Web links
- Manufacturer's website with definition (direct link): washing card system