Yes any solid state electronics do need DC current. But the power leaving the receptacle is still 120 volts AC not DC and if the line and neutral is reverse you still have AC power to the washing machine. after it get's there it is changed to DC by rectifiers and filters but this at the washer not at the receptacleBy Racraft: Newer appliances with electronic controls might be more susceptible to a polarity and/or ground problem since they need a dc voltage to power the control module.
I can not think of any reason that an electronic system designer would use anything on the DC side of a electronics control circuit to reference the ground as the ground is only there for fault current and should not be used in any way to control a washer. And while some designers might install a MOV device to try to block any transient spike between the neutral and ground. It wouldn't be below the 130 volt threshold of a MOV that would be used on a line to neutral as this would be a very poor design. Most transient spikes that damage equipment are line to neutral and this is because this is where the load should always be connected. so why would you install a MOV between neutral and ground when any surg's between these would not have a load to damage. Also if a MOV with a 2 volt threshold was installed between the ground and neutral it wouldn't last any way as any voltage drop in the neutral would cause current in the MOV as the most circuits will have more than a 2 volt drop. the EGC wont have the voltage drop as it will be at the main neutral bar potential. because there is no current on it to cause a drop.By Sam A.: With newer equipment, especially electronically controlled appliances, internal surge protection and control board reference the neutral and ground in specific ways. MOV's and circuit board that should see less than 2Vp-p between neutral and ground cannot handle line voltage for very long. I'm surprised it lasted three days.