Most people take their home appliances for granted. This can result in appliance breakdown and you probably don’t know what the problem with the machine is and what you should do to fix the problem. So, what can you do to solve the problem? Ideally, you should get help from a professional, or you could the fix the household appliance yourself and save money. You can easily find and contact a professional qualified to offer appliance repair Indianapolis IN. If you are planning to fix the appliance yourself, this article will provide all the information you need to fix the appliance.
Understanding your Appliances
All major appliances use AC current from the electric wiring of your house. While small appliances work on 110-120-volt circuits, large appliances usually require 220-240 volt wiring. Most small appliances are simple machines that come with a few parts such as fan, blades, element, shaft, and several other small parts. On the other hand, large appliances are complex and have several parts. In these appliances, problems can occur in the components or the control devices. When a major appliance such as a refrigerator or washing machine breaks down, it is important to diagnose the problem and fix it with the help of an appliance repair Columbus OH expert in.
Diagnosing the problem is not easy, as you must find out whether the problem is in the mechanical or control device. For instance, in a dryer, the mechanical devices turn the drum and the control devices control the heat. So, if the drum is turning properly, but the machine does not heat, the problem is in the control devices. On the other hand, if the drum is not turning, but the dryer heats, it means the problem is mechanical.
Repairing Major Appliances
Before you start repairing a major appliance, here are some simple rules you cannot afford to ignore.
- a) Make sure you disconnect power supply to the machine. If you turn on the appliance after completing repairs, don’t touch the machine. Just, observe the machine. If you need to make a change, switch off the power supply before making the change.
- b) If the appliance or its parts are held together by screws, plugs, bolts, or any other fastener, you can attempt appliance repair. However, if the appliance is held together with welds or rivet you should get professional help from the appliance repair Charlotte NC
- c) When repairing a damaged part, make sure you get a part that is designed especially for your machine. If you are unable to get the exact part, you should contact the manufacturer to find out where you can get a replacement.
Simple Checklists
The most common cause of an appliance not working is the lack of power supply. Before, you start the diagnosis and repair process; you should follow these preliminary steps:
- i) Make sure the appliance is properly plugged in and the outlet is working properly. You can use a voltage tester to check the condition of the outlet.
- ii) Make sure the fuse that controls the circuit is not tripped or blown. Check for tripped or blown fuses at both the separate and the main panel.
iii) At times, the fuse or breaker of the appliance may be tripped or blown. If the fuse is blown, replace it immediately. Tripped fuses may be restored by pushing the reset button.
- iv) If the appliances use water or gas you can make sure the appliance received adequate supply of water or gas.
Disassembling the Appliances
All appliances are different, but the disassembling process is usually the same. Before removing the parts, you must check the owner’s manual for instructions and assembly diagrams. The removed parts must be placed in an orderly manner, as it is easy to put the appliance back together. Label all the wires and terminals and don’t remove more than one wire at a time.
Reassembling the Appliance
Before you reassemble an appliance, vacuum inside it to remove lint and dust. If you suspect that there is any other problem with the machine, make the required adjustments yourself, but if that proves difficult call for an appliance repair New York technician that has years of experience. If the machine has a motor, make sure you lubricate it.
Reassemble the machine in reverse of the way you removed the parts. Avoid forcing the parts together, as it could damage them. If your machine makes noise or overheats when you connect the power, turn off the machine, and disconnect the power supply. You should then call a trusted company providing reliable appliance repair Los Angeles services or in your city to solve the problem.
Grounding System
Large machines, whose plugs have a prong and two blades, must be grounded using a special adapter plug or it must be plugged into an outlet that is grounded. Proper grounding is a necessity for appliances that have a metal body. This will reduce the risk of shock.
Double Insulated Appliance
The components of power tools and appliances that are double insulated are isolated from parts that carry electric current. However, it is not safe to assume that they are completely shockproof. For instance, you should never drill a hole in the wall that has a power line. Also, these appliances and tools must always be repaired by a professional, so contact one for appliance repair Phoenix same day appointments.
Repairing Plugs and Power Cords
Almost all appliances have common components such as power cord and plug. If you learn to repair the power cord of the washing machine, you can use the same skill to repair the power cord of your refrigerator.
A major cause of breakdown of most appliances is a worn out plug or power cord that don’t make proper electric contract. To avoid problems with your appliances, you must check all sockets and cords periodically and replace the broken or frayed cords immediately. If you suspect that the power cord is faulty, remove it from the appliance and test its condition using a continuity tester. Similarly, you can test the condition of the plug and socket using a normal tester.
The most difficult part about replacing the cord is to determine how to disassemble the appliance so that you can remove the damaged cord and replace it with a new one. At times, removing a small cover will do the job. In other cases, you have to partially or fully disassemble the machine before you can reach the terminals. To remove the power cord, pull the pressure connectors, loosen the clamp, or remove the terminal screws. After fixing the new cord, make sure you connect the wire firmly to the connectors.
If the plug is faulty, you attach the new plug to your old power cord. Before replacing the plug, make sure the conductor wires are properly attached to the screw terminals of the plug. If the wires are loose, tighten them and check if the machine is working; else, replace the plug and if that doesn’t work, get the help of qualified technician for proper appliance repair Philadelphia in home services.
Gaskets
The gasket is responsible for improving the efficiency of the appliance and preventing air and water leaks. If the gasket of your appliance fails, you must replace it immediately. To check whether the gasket is faulty, visually inspect it for signs of tear and cracks. Also, the gasket must be spongy, if it is hard, replace it immediately. When replacing the gasket, make sure you get one that is made specifically for your appliance. Avoid using the universal gasket that fits all appliances.
To replace the gasket, just remove the old gasket and clean the area with liquid detergent and warm water. Dry the area, install the new gasket, and use gasket cement, if required. Make sure the gasket is positioned smoothly and properly, with no part curled under or sticking up.
Wiring
The electric wires in your appliance may be connected to the parts in several ways. This includes the push-in terminals, screw-terminals, and the sleeve type terminal. They can also be connected with solderless connects known as wire nuts. When replacing a damaged component, you must connect each wire properly. Before you disconnect a wire, you must know how it is attached to the component. When the new component is installed, you must attach the wire in the same way.
Switches
This part consists of several electrical contacts in a mechanical housing. The switch may stop working when there is a problem with the housing or the contacts. If the switch is not working, check whether the contacts are misaligned or dirty. At times, cleaning these contacts with fine cloth can solve the problem. If they are misaligned, just bend the contacts back into place. At times, loose terminal screws may be responsible for the problem. You can tighten the terminal screws and check whether the switch is working. If the terminal screws are corroded, you must replace the switch. If you have completed these tests and the switch is still not working, you can check the continuity using a multi-meter. Faulty switch must be replaced immediately. Before changing the switch, make sure you disconnect the power supply to the appliance.
Thermostats
The thermostat is a component that is responsible for controlling the temperature in a cooling device or heating element. The thermostat used in your machine can either be bimetal thermodisc, gas filled bellows, or bimetal strip. Faulty bimetal thermodisc and bimetal strip thermostat must be replaced. However, faulty gas filled thermostat can be repaired by an appliance repair Seattle Washington professional repair service company. Once you access the thermostat, you can check its condition using a continuity tester. When replacing the faulty thermometer, make sure you follow the instructions of the manufacturer.
Heating Elements and Timer
Large appliances usually perform several functions. For instance, your washer may have several cycles. The electronic components of the appliance are responsible for controlling the water flow, heat, motor speed, fuel flow, and several other variables. The important components that control these variables include the relays, solenoids, and sensors.
Heating Element
Heating elements are made of high electrical resistance metal. When electric current passes through the element, the resistance prevents the current from flowing easily. The current must work to pass through the element and this work produces heat. When the power supply to the element is cut, the element cools. If you suspect that the element is not working, you can check its condition using a continuity tester. Since some elements have very high resistance factor, it may produce only a dim buzz. This does not mean that the element is faulty, but rather that it is working efficiently.
Mechanical Timers
Appliances that have several cycles are usually controlled by a timer, which is a rotary switch powered by a synchronous motor. The timer usually consists of a shaft, gears, and several arms, one for each cycle. When there is a problem with the timer, it must be replaced. An appliance repair Denver Colorado service professional may be able to repair the timer, but it can be more expensive than a new timer.
You can check the condition of the mechanical timer using a continuity timer. Before checking the condition of the component, make sure you disconnect the power supply to the machine and remove all the wires connected to the timer. Make sure you will be able to reconnect all the wires you have removed.
Thermocouples and Pilot Lights
Most old gas appliances have pilot lights that give you instant ignition when you turn on the gas. The gas appliance may not work properly when the pilot light is blown or when the gas flow is misdirected or obstructed. In modern appliances, the glow bar or a sparking device may be used to achieve ignition. In some appliances such as water heater or furnaces, the pilot light may be accompanied by a safety device known as a thermocouple. The thermocouple is a heat sensor that turns off the gas when the flame is extinguished. If you suspect that the pilot light is not working properly, you can adjust the pilot flames by turning the adjustment screws on the gas. When doing so, you must follow the instructions of the manufacturer.
Motors
The motors of most modern appliances are long-wearing and dependable. You can prolong the life of the motor by cleaning and lubricating them regularly. Also, use the motor sensibly. Avoid abusing or overloading them, as it could get damaged.
Some important rules you should follow when using appliances that are motor-driven:
- A) Large appliances that require 220-240 volt must be connected only to a 220-240 volt outlet. Also, make sure the appliance is grounded to reduce the risk of shock.
- B) Avoid using appliances when your hands are wet. This can damage the wiring and increase the risk of shock.
- C) You should not overload an appliance. When you overload an appliance, it can cause the motor to overheat and damage it. If the motor turns off when overloaded, you must reduce the load before restarting.
The most common cause of motor not working is the wearing down of carbon brushes. These brushes are soft carbon blocks that complete the electrical contact to the commutator. When the brushes are damaged or worn out, the electrical contacts are incomplete and the motor may spark. You can check the condition of the brushes by visually inspecting it or using a test it with a multi-meter. Before checking the brushes for continuity, you must disconnect the power supply to the machine. Also, remove all the wires connected to its circuit. If the brushes are damaged, they must be replaced. At times, the springs behind the motor may also be damaged. Make sure you replace the damaged springs as well, when you replace the brushes.
When replacing the brushes and springs, make sure you get new ones that are specifically designed for your motor. You will need the number and make of the motor when getting these replacements. The new brushes and springs must be inserted in the brush holder. You can secure the new brushes with screws that held the old motor brushes.
In case of serious malfunction, you should get the help of a professional experienced in home appliance repair Jacksonville, FL repairman, who will either repair or replace the motor, depending on its condition.
Be extremely careful when repairing motors at home, especially capacitor-start motors. These motors have electricity stored in the capacitor that is used to provide extra starting power to the motor. Since capacitors store electricity, even after the power supply to the machine is cut off, it can be dangerous to repair the machine, especially for a newbie. If you have capacitor-start motor, you must discharge the capacitor before attempting repairs. Your best option is to always find the most reliable appliance repair service technicians that can get the job done properly and avoid any risk of getting exposed to unnecessary safety hazards.
