what is the washing machine doing when it 'weighs' the load?

[andy_in_ireland]

What is the samsung doing when it weighs the load at the beginning of some washes? 

It cannot be weighing them to see how much water to be put in the drum because that is handled by the water pressure switch inside the machine. 

It cannot be for measuring out for the soap detergent because with measuring the machine would need to know how dirty the garments are and it would not be doing that by weighing the clothes , it would know by checking the dirtiness of the water with a Turbidity sensor and our machine has not got a Turbidity sensor fitted.

And then you have some washing cycles that dont even weigh the washing at the beginning on some of them. 

Model number WW90T534DAW/S1

[Fiona26]

Most washing machines will have auto detect weight. Basically on certain cycles it will weigh the washing load to estimate a washing time.

[andy_in_ireland]

ah yes that makes sense thanks.

[MKav1972]

The computer will check the load voltage to the motor at the start of the program. It will calculate the difference in drag from a preset formula. To get the best results only place dry cloths in at the start. If you check your manual for the other programs it will state those programs are lighter in weight loads so the computer is preset for them delicates should only be filled to 20% of the weight of a max weight cycle.