Repairing Your Small Appliances

Generally speaking, there are three main types of small appliances for the home. You have your heating products like coffee makers and toasters, movers like vacuum cleaners and blenders while others, like hair-dryers, do both jobs.

The different types of appliances all share similar electrical circuits. There is generally a battery or other power source, a switch, a fuse and a motor or heat elements (or both.)

Heating appliances convert electricity into heat. This is done passing electricity through what is called an 'element.' An element is a wire that is difficult to pass electricity through, thus turning it bright red and producing heat.

Motor appliances turn electricity into movement. This is done by passing electricity through a magnet which rotates a shaft. The work that needs to be done may be done by a piece of equipment or blade that is found at the end of the shaft. Combination appliances will have both a motor and element running through the electrical circuit in some form.

Many small appliances are powered by 120-volt electricity, so problems that occur in toasters or coffee makers can also occur in vacuum cleaners or hair dryers. This means any user can repair similar problems in different appliances once they have the basic knowledge of how an electric circuit works.

Electrical cords in most small appliances use cord wires of copper strands insulated with heat-resistant plastic. A three strand cord will consist of a live wire, neutral wire and a ground wire to remove excess build up of electricity. The cord ends should have three prong plugs attached.

In order to test an appliance, remove the product from the power source. You can use a continuity tester or multi meter to make sure it can conduct electricity. Once the tester is attached, move the wires around to ensure there are no circuit breaks. Ensure the quality of the insulation cord is suitable, and if there are any exposed strands replace the cord with one of equivalent rating a gauge.

Controls on an appliance are usually tested with a continuity tester. By placing the clip on the input side and the tester probe on the output side and activating the controller, you can determine whether the control is functioning properly.

Most appliance controls should be replaced rather than repaired. Once you remove the controller from the appliance take the part, along with the appliance model and serial numbers, to an appliance-parts dealer to ensure that the appropriate replacement is found. It may be suitable to see an electronics dealer.

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