Eye-level viewfinder cameras, with automatic focusing, are already available. The photographer simply points the camera at his subject and presses the shutter release. Camera-to-subject distance is measured in a similar manner to the rangefinder using the contrast between two superimposed images. When the two images are merged completely, contrast is at its highest, the lens is sharply focused and a special electric cell allows the shutter to fire. Read the rest of this entry »
Specific failure symptoms include: 1) When the washer is turned ON, nothing happens. 2) When the washer is turned ON you hear a faint “buzz.”
To find the cause of this problem, first check to be sure that the washer is plugged in a working power source.
Make a line voltage check at the washer receptacle to determine if the problem is a faulty power receptacle or a problem within the washer. Make a voltage line check by setting the volt/ohmmeter on the 150 A/C scale and placing the probes in the holes of the wall receptacle. The meter should read 110-125 volts. Read the rest of this entry »
Unplug the power cord or gas supply before servicing the clothes dryer. Move clothes dryer out from the wall. Exercise care when moving the dryer from its original position because the dryer legs can easily tear holes in your floor.
Remove screws to dryer top. Lift the top of the dryer by inserting a flat-blade screwdriver between the cabinet and the top of the dryer. Remove the screws that secure door switch to dryer front panel and discard the door switch. Read the rest of this entry »
Specific failure symptoms include: 1) The clothes dryer is running longer than normal. 2) The clothes are extremely damp at the end of the drying cycle.
Although the problem could be that the automatic washer is not spinning your clothes properly, in most cases the problem is inadequate air movement in the dryer.
Before blaming the dryer, you should check the automatic washer. At the end of the spin cycle, open the washer lid and check to see if there is excess water left in the washer basket. Read the rest of this entry »
Specific problems include: 1) The clothes dryer has excessive noise while running. 2) The clothes dryer stops in cycle. 3) The clothes are extremely damp when removed from the dryer drum at end of cycle.
All of the above symptoms are related to mechanical problems which develop from years of use.
Check the clothes dryer drum belt for excessive play or a stretched condition. A drum belt that is excessively stretched will cause the idler pulley to bang against the drum, resulting in excessive noise. In order to restore the dryer to proper operating order, you will have to replace the drive belt. Read the rest of this entry »
Electric heating of water can be carried out in a variety of ways. These include small capacity heaters fitted above the sink, instantaneous sink heaters or immersion heaters in the hot water tank.
Small storage water heaters fitted over the sink or washbasin having capacities of up to about 3 gallons and electrical loadings of 1 to 3 kW are usually supplied from the ring circuit by means of a spur. Except in a bathroom, the outlet can be a fused plug and switched socket-outlet, preferably with neon indicator. Read the rest of this entry »
The speed control on this type of mixer results from the interaction of mechanical action and electronic control. Two variations of electrical control can be found but each uses the same mechanical action.
Two small spring steel plates are fixed to the cooling fan on the lower end of the armature shaft. They are slightly bowed and joined at either end by a small weight. Only the top plate is secured to the fan and shaft. When the motor rotates, the weights on each end of the joined plates are forced outwards by centrifugal force. As they are formed in a bowed configuration and joined at either end, the outward movement of the weights causes the lower plate to be forced downwards. The degree of movement is proportional to the rotational speed of the armature. This movement is used to actuate a switch on the speed control panel. Read the rest of this entry »
Unlike the pre-set speed control, variable control allows a greater variation in motor speeds. The motor is a plain AC series-wound brush motor and consequently it is incapable of any variation in speed on its own.
Speed is governed by a separate speed control unit. This unit consists of a printed circuit board with a number of solid-state components, often called the speed module or motor control module. In simple terms, this device interrupts the power supply to the motor at regular intervals. In effect, it pulses the motor. If the pulsing is increased, the motor will run faster and if pulsing is slowed, the motor will run slower. Read the rest of this entry »
