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 »
If only one appliance suddenly stops working and there were no flames, sparks or big bangs to indicate that it was a malfunction in the appliance itself, unplug it and try it in a different socket. If it is still not working, check the cord’s connection with the plug, as well as the appliance, If one of the connections seems loose or frail, unplug the appliance and try to repair the connection. You will either have to unscrew the plug, or dissemble the appliance to get to the cord connection. Read the rest of this entry »
Turn OFF the electricity at the circuit breaker panelbefore servicing the dishwasher. Exercise care when moving the dishwasher from its space. The leveling legs can easily damage the floor.
Turn OFF the electricity at the circuit breaker panel. Remove the screws that secure the lower panel to the dishwasher cabinet. Disconnect the drive motor connector from the harness wiring. Remove the hose clamp from drain hose that is secured to drive motor base coupling. Remove drain hose from coupling. NOTE: When removing drain hose, place a small pan or towel under the motor base coupling. It is possible that when hose is removed water could spill onto the floor. Read the rest of this entry »
Specific failure symptoms include: 1) Dishwasher has a full tub of water at the end of the cycle. 2) Dishwasher only partially drains and leaves water in tub at end of cycle.
Remove the lower panel. Locate the pump drain hose and see if a kink in the hose is evident. If so, remove the kink and check the dishwasher for proper operation. If the dishwasher now pumps the water out, you found the problem — a kinked drain hose. If little or no water is being pumped out, the problem is in the dishwasher pump assembly. Read the rest of this entry »
Take particular care in the bathroom where special regulations apply.
Do not install a socket-outlet in the bathroom other than an approved shaver supply unit for a mains voltage shaver.
Do not make provision for using a mains voltage portable appliance. For example do not run a portable electric heater from a socket-outlet situated outside the bathroom i.e. on the landing or in an adjacent bedroom. If the tank cupboard opens into the bathroom and the tank has an immersion heater do not supply it from a socket-outlet (not a good method in any case) which could be used for plugging in a portable appliance. Read the rest of this entry »
The earth path of an appliance can be checked easily using a simple test meter. Remember, path of low resistance is required from all items within a appliance that are linked into the earth path via the yellow and green cable.
The earth path of an appliance from its exposed metal parts to the earth pin of the plug should be a maximum of 1 ohm (BS3456).
Checking the earth path of a socket requires an earth loop test meter which needs to be operated correctly. This is an expensive item and, moreover, problems may be encountered with distribution boards fitted with an RCD. It is, therefore, advisable to have these tests done by a qualified electrical contractor. Read the rest of this entry »
All the mains appliances featured here have some kind of mains cable. Problems with the electronic cables of portable appliances are quite common, especially those that are moved around constantly while in use, such as vacuum cleaners and hedge cutters.
The problems can range from a simple break in one or more of the conductors, which would render the appliance open circuit, to the breakdown of the cable’s insulating properties caused by damage, fatigue or neglect, leading to the risk of electric shock or fire. Electronic cables and extension leads must be checked regularly and thoroughly.
There are several different types of flexible electronic cable in two-core and three-core configurations on the appliances shown here. It is important to remember that two-core electronic cable is used only on double insulated appliances; three-core electronic cable is used on all items requiring an earth connection. Read the rest of this entry »
The term ‘harness‘ is used for all of the wires that connect the various components within an appliance. In large appliances they are usually bound or fastened ‘together in bunches to keep the wiring neat and safely anchored. Smaller appliances, however, may sacrifice neatness for safety and route the wiring to avoid contact with heat or sharp edges. The correct positioning of wiring also contributes to the double insulation of an appliance, so no alterations whatsoever should be made to the routing or position of the wiring in double insulated appliances.
When you first take a look at it, the harness may seem like a jumble of wires thrown together, but if you take the time to inspect it, you will find that each wire is colour-coded or numbered either on the wire itself or on the connector at each end. This allows the engineer to follow the wire through the appliance easily. With a little practice, any wiring or coding can be easily followed. Read the rest of this entry »
When an appliance is in use small sparks are generated at mechanical contacts, such as those found in switches and the junction between motor brushes and commutator. This results in the emission of spurious radio waves that can be heard as crackles on radio or television receivers or that are passed down the mains circuit to audio equipment. The suppressor is designed to eliminate the formation and transmission of these spurious radio waves. They are also known as mains filters. Read the rest of this entry »
Many household appliances have some means of governing the temperature at which they operate. Examples include the regulation of high temperature ovens and heaters by switching elements on or off and, at the other end of the scale, the control of low temperatures in refrigerators and freezers by turning the compressor motor on or off.
A thermostat is an automatic device for regulating temperature. They range in type from the simple single action switch, which turns off or on at one pre-set temperature, to the fully adjustable type, which can be adjusted within a given range. Read the rest of this entry »
