Personal Electronic Equipment: Shavers

There are two main types of shavers: fully portable (powered by batteries, either dry cell or nickel cadmium rechargeable), and mains powered which usually incorporate a variable voltage option switch (110-130 volts or 210-240 volts). Correct maintenance is essential if they are to work efficiently and have a long and useful life while simple care and cleaning will greatly improve their smooth operation and reduce the likelihood of recurrent breakdowns.

The cutting head may be one of two basic types: rotary cutters and foil cutters. The rotary shaver has a rotating cutting edge beneath one or more circular slotted cutting heads. The foil shaver has a slotted foil of metal under which a multi-edged cutter bar moves rapidly from side to side. Both types deliver hundreds of cutting actions per second.

Rotary shaver

The rotating heads of these shavers are driven by a brush gear motor via a gearing system directly beneath the cutting heads. Two types of motors are used.

Portable battery-powered shavers use a DC-powered motor which runs on the low voltage supplied by either dry cell or fixed nickel cadmium batteries. If it fails, it usually has to be completely replaced with a new motor. Thorough cleaning and the application of a very small amount of lubrication to the end brushes/bearings of the motor is a worthwhile maintenance task.

When renewing a motor of this type, ensure that the connections are replaced exactly as the originals. If this is not done, the motor will run in reverse. The same applies if fixed ni-cad batteries are to be renewed. Ni-cad batteries require care in use, disposal and fitting.

A larger brush-gear motor is used in mains powered shavers. Individual components are generally available. Take care when dismantling and note the positions of all relevant parts. With care the motor brushes can be easily removed. Each should be clean and free to move within its brushholder. Renew any brushes less than 5mm (l/5 inch) long and any that are burnt or in poor condition. The motor bearings are larger than those of the battery operated shaver. They are pre-oiled and should need lubricating only after long use. A very small amount of light machine oil should be used on the pinion side of the bearing. Do not allow any lubricant on to the field coil or commutator.

The cutting heads can be removed for cleaning. Immerse them in surgical spirit or industrial alcohol for two minutes, remove and allow to air dry. Apply a little machine oil with a finger tip to the cutter guard before refitting. Squeaking rotary cutters are usually caused by use on dry skin; normally, the natural oils from the skin help to lubricate the rotating heads. If squeaks occur, apply a little light machine oil with the fingertip to the cutter guard. Cutters and guards are not repairable and are changed as a pair. They are easily damaged, so take care when cleaning or repairing the shaver.

Foil shavers

Foil shavers, too, may be battery powered (dry cell or fixed ni-cad) or mains powered. The former uses a small DC motor, similar to the rotary version’s, which drives an eccentric cam and crank mechanism to create a reciprocating, side-to-side movement of the cuttingblades. Cleaning and maintenance is similar to that of battery powered rotary shavers.

Mains powered foil shavers, however, differ considerably in the way the vibration/reciprocating movement of the cutting blade is produced. A simpler system using fewer moving parts is often used and there is no recognizable motor present.

Movement is generated by a vibrating motor which consists of two stator coils mounted on fixed metal laminate cores. A second metal laminate, called a yoke, is suspended above this on a pivot and held centrally bytwo strong springs. When mains power (AC) is supplied to the coils the two poles of the fixed stator become magnets with alternating poles of north and south. The movable yoke is drawn against one spring and then the other, as it is attracted to the constantly changing magnetic field. The movement made is linked directly to the cutting blades of the shaver.

This type of motor is finely balanced during manufacture and no lubrication or maintenance, other than cleaning, is necessary. Only dismantle the motor if repair/renewal of parts is required. Instructions for cleaning and lubricating of heads of foil shavers are exactly the same as for rotary types.

Shavers with ni-cad batteries

Some shavers contain fixed ni-cad batteries with a recharging facility. The charger is normally supplied with the shaver and only the one specified for it should be used. The charger is a sealed unit and matched to the specific requirements of each shaver and the size and number of batteries it contains. Obtain an exact replacement in the event of the charger becoming defective.

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