Next in line after the water supply valve is the water inlet valve, usually located at the back of the machine near the bottom. The role of the water inlet valve is to release supply water from the supply line so that it can enter the icemaker mold cavity. However, the valve’s internal components can eventually become worn out from the corrosive properties and algae in the water, and fail to supply water to the mold cavity. Check the water inlet valve to see if it is electrically releasing the water on command to the mold cavity. Read the rest of this entry »
Socket-outlets situated off the main route of the cable do not have to be connected to the actual ring cable. Instead they are usually supplied from spur cables branching off the ring. These spurs are wired in the same size cable as that used for the ring.
Fixed appliances which may be connected to a ring circuit include skirting heaters, wall heaters, small water heaters and any non-portable electrical appliances having individual loadings of not more than 3000 W(13 A approx.). Read the rest of this entry »
Joint boxes are usually circular and for part of the circuit wiring. They are fix permanently to the house structure are used principally in lighting circuits. Join boxes are available in 4- 5- and 6-terminal versions.
A 3-terminal joint box of 30 A current rating is used for ring circuits to connect spur cables to the ring cable, as shown the illustration. Read the rest of this entry »
A fused clock connector is a small non- switched fused outlet designed expressly for supplying a mains electric clock.
The unit is in two sections: a fixed base which is connected to the fixed circuit wiring, and another section in.the form of a flat pin plug which plugs into sockets in the base. The plug section carries the flex of the clock and contains the fuse. The plug is secured in the base by a retaining screw. This prevents the plug being pulled out accidentally and stopping the clock. Read the rest of this entry »
Specific failure symptoms include: 1) Water on floor near dishwasher. 2) During dishwasher cycle, water accumulates on left or right side of dishwasher lower panel.
To locate the cause of the problem, remove lower panel and check for broken plumbing drain connections, water inlet valve, broken or cracked hoses (drain and inlet), or drive motor and pump assembly motor seal. If a hose or a faulty part is found, replace it. Check that door is closing properly. Read the rest of this entry »
These have a similar motor to the vacuum cleaner; the most common fault being brush wear. Burning out of the windings is also fairly frequent and is usually caused by overloading due to misuse.
The popular low-priced rotary mowers are usually powered by a brush motor similar to that of an electric drill (power tool). Carbon brushes need replacing when they wear but the component which is likely to give the greatest concern is the thermal cutout usually situated in the handle. The function of this is to cut off the current to the motor when there is a risk of overload when cutting very long grass. Read the rest of this entry »
Specific failure symptoms include: 1) The dishwasher won’t complete the dishwasher cycle. 2) The dishwasher has a burning smell during the cycle.
Check the dishwasher wiring for a possible loose connection where it connects to the house wiring.
Check for a circuit breaker in the circuit breaker panel that is defective.
Check the dishwasher timer assembly for erratic operation. If the dishwasher suddenly started when the timer dial is pushed to the ON-OFF position, the timer assembly ON-OFF contacts are defective internally. You will have to replace the timer assembly in order for the dishwasher to program through the cycle properly. Read the rest of this entry »
Capacitors used for motor starting may have metal or plastic outer casings with an insulated top with two terminals. Internally the two terminals are connected to two sheets of metal foil with an insulator between. This package of large surface area is rolled into a cylinder which fits into the shell of the capacitor. As the voltage supplied to one terminal is alternating (at 50 times per second), so does the polarity of its connected foil. An opposite movement of electrons is induced in the other foil, even though they are insulated electrically. This causes a delay in the electrical path, and this, in the case of an asynchronous induction motor, gives the outof-phase feed to the start winding. Read the rest of this entry »
Isolate the appliance before removing covers or panels for any reason. All tests for continuity should be carried out with a battery operated test meter only.
The most likely cause of overheating will be a failure of the thermostat contact points or sealed pressure system. In such a case you will need to fit a new compatible replacement unit.
Slow initial heating-up times or uneven heat distribution within the oven is usually caused by the failure of one element. Simple testing of the element will highlight the faulty item.
Failure to heat up at all may be either the thermostat or elements. As elements are the easier of the two to check for continuity, a simple process of elimination will indicate where the fault lies. Read the rest of this entry »
Coffee filters have become extremely popular in the United Kingdom in recent years, largely replacing percolators. Although they vary in design, they are fairly straightforward in the way they work.
When water is added to the cold-water compartment, it flows through a hole in the base into a silicone tube containing a non-return valve. The tube feeds water to a metal boiler tube in the metal base plate. This is similar to an iron sole plate and contains a heating element which, when switched on, quickly heats the water in the tube causing it to rise towards the outlet end of the system. The outlet is positioned over a holder containing a filter filled with ground coffee. Hot water is ejected from the tube and filters through the coffee to the jug. This continues as long as there is water in the cold-water compartment and power is supplied to the heater. Read the rest of this entry »
