Transcript
4-H & Youth I Member's Guide
Electricity
TROUBLESHOOTING CH.ART
Complete this chart and keep it in a handy place for quick reference. Appliance
Common Problems
Likely Causes
Remedy
ALABAMA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE/AUBURN UNIVERSITY, ALABAMA 36849 Space heater
Care of Cooking Appliances Genta S. Speakman Horne Economist-Housing & Equipment
Hot plate
is clean and safe when your applia.Iices are in good condition. Do you understand the language of electrical cooking appliances? They have warning signo :>,if you recognize them. Prompt attention to the warning signals can prevent costly appliance damage, possihle personal injury and danger of fire. Taking care of your cooking appliances can be a big help to your family. Making simple repairs at home saves money, too. CooKING WITH ELECI'RICITY
Percolator Roaster
Frypan Toaster
WHAT TO DO
Waffle maker
1. Learn to identify at least five different warning signals of electrical cooking appliances. 2. Learn to correct the different kinds of trouble common to cooking appliances. 3. Repair or replace an open coil heating elemen~ or replace an old, slow-heating surface unit pn a range or grill. 4. Learn about operation and care of several cooking appliances such as hot plates, percolators, roasters, frypans, toasters and waffle makers. 5. Learn what effect poor wiring has on the operation of toasters, waffle makers and frypans.
Grill Oven element
Materials you will need: Pliers Measuring cup Screwdriver Silver polish Knife Vinegar Friction tape Soda Mild scouring powder Sandpaper Cloth FIVE WARNING SIGNALS
The
~1Alabama E i.7Cooperative Extension Service "EDUCATION IS OUR BUSINESS"
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. J. Michael Sprott, Director, Alabama Cooperative Extension Service, Auburn University. The Alabama Cooperative Extension Service offers educational programs and materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, or handicap. It is also an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. UPS, 10M04, 10:80, YHE-123
The following described warning signals are more than just minor annoyances; they are real dangers which only the foolish will ignore. 1. Blinking or annoying ..on-off' periods in the operation of an appliance usually mean there's a
loose connection. Perhaps it's only a loose screw, but tighten it before a more serious problem occurs. Caution: Always unplug an appliance before inspecting or working on it. 2. A tingle or slight shock when handling an appliance or switch tells you thexe's a short oircuit. Inspect for loose wires or poor insulation. The appliance may need a ground wire connected. 3. Crumbling or cracking insulation on appliance cords will eventually expose electric wires which can short circuit or make metal parts a serious shock hazard. Replace with new heavy-duty cords. 4. Dimming of lights when motors start indicates that the circuits are overloaded. Overloaded circuits mean overheated wires - a dangerous fire hazard. 5. Blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers are also signals of overloaded or shorted circuits. When you recognize any one of these warning signals it's time to do something about it. If the need for repairs is a constant and continuing problem in your home, the reason may be old and inadequate wiring. The simplest and least expensive answer in the long nm may be additional wiring. Low voltage, due to poor wiring, results in the appliance taking longer to do its work, such as toasting bread or making waffies. Also, the toast and waffles may come out dry and not too appetizing. More electricity is consumed when it takes appliances longer to do their cooking. That means a higher electric bill because electricity is paid for on a time basis (kilowatt hours). REP.AIRING OPEN COIL HEATING ELEMENTS
Heating coils on small appliances are of two general types: totally enclosed coils which cannot be repaired in the home and ~pen coiJs to which temporary repairs can sometimes be made.
LEAFLET YHE..123
percolator, or allowing rancid oil to build up on percolator parts. The percolator should be washed regularly with water and vinegar or soda. Use 1 tablespoon of vinegar or soda to 6 cups of water and allow it to percolate 10 minutes or through a regular coffee-making cycle. Wash the inside of the percolator with soap and water. The outside can be cleaned with silver polish. Do not use coarse scouring powder. COMMON PROBLEMS AND REMEDIES
This repair can be made only when the break is close to the terminal. 1. Clean the wire at least 1h inch from the end with sandpaper or a knife. 2. Fasten it around the terminal in the direction the screw or nut tightens.
If the break in the coil is away from the terminal, purchase and install a new coil. If some unusual difficulty is encountered, return the appliance to the dealer for repair. Do not immerse the appliance in water. PERCOLATOR CARE, CLEANING AND OPERATION
Does your percolator make bitter coffee? Bitter coffee may be caused by allowing coffee to percolate too long, allowing cnffee to stand in the
PERCOLATOR FUSES
1. The fuse may be blown. Examine the bottom of the percolator. On some models you may have to remove the bottom plate to replace the blown fuse. 2. The percolator valve, or pump, might be clogged. If so, clean the valve and stem by forcing water through it. Use a small round brush if necessary.
5. The cord might be connected to a drop cord or long extension cord.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
6. The lid may be warped or sprung. If so, return it to the dealer, serviceman or manufacturer for repair.
1. Dimming of lights when motors start is a signal that the circuits are overloaded. 2. Low voltage causes appliances to take longer to do their job.
WAFFLE MAKER CARE, CLEANING AND OPERATION
Care for a waffie maker much the same as you do a hot plate. The waffie grids can be cleaned by leaving a paper napkin soaked with ammonia between them overnight. After using the waffie maker, leave it open until cool.
CONNECTING CORD--
VALVE
4. Never immerse a hot plate in water.
6. A thermostat on a frypan conh·ols the voltage. __ 7. It is good safety practice to disconnect the plug from the outlet before repairing an appliance. _ __
4. The percolator heating element might be burned out. In this case, return the percolator to your dealer or manufacturer for replacement.
8. If an automatic waffie maker overheats, it means a faulty thermostat. 9. It is satisfactory to connect a hot plate to a ceiling drop cord.
ROASTER OR FRYPAN CARE, CLEANING AND OPERATION
10. Sometimes a roaster or frypan might not heat properly if the lid fits tightly. DEMONSTRATIONS YOU CAN GIVE
1. 2. 3. of
Replace a blown fuse on an appliance. Thoroughly inspect and clean a percolator. Demonstrate how motors can cause dimming lights.
ELEMENT EXHIBITS YOU CAN MAKE
COMMON PHOBLEMS AND REMEDIES
PUMP ON STEM
3. Even if it takes longer to toast bread or make a waffie with low voltage, it doesn't cost any more for the electricity.
5. When a percolator does not operate, a bend in the cord could be the trouble.
3. The valve may not be seated properly in the heating well. Clean the heating well and valve.
Clean the outside with a damp cloth. A mild scouring powder may be used to remove grease spots. Do not place the the1mostat unit in water for cleaning. Some thermostats are detachable. If so, the appliance can be immersed in water. Do not connect a roaster or frypan to a ceiling drop cord or extension cord because the wires are too small for satisfactory heating. Connect the appliance directly to a wall outlet. Do not plug the appliance in on a circuit with another heating appliance of similar high wattage. Store the appliance in a dry place.
True or False
1. The thermostat may be operating improperly. Return the appliance to your dealer, serviceman or the manufacturer for a replacement. 2. The thermostat may be set too high, too low or on the "off" position. 3. The fuse may be blown or tripped. 4. The cord or plug may have a broken wire or loose connection.
COMMON PROBLEMS AND REMEDIES
1. The connecting cord between the upper and lower elements may be broken causing the appliance to fail to heat. Disassemble and repair in the same manner as any other cord. 2. The thermostat may be damaged or stuck, causing it to overheat. Return it to dealer, serviceman or manufacturer for repair.
1. Prepare an exhibit of items such as loose connections, worn cords and broken coils to emphasize the warning signals of electrical cooking appliances. 2. Prepare a display of the different types of heating elements used in cooking appliances. FOR MORE INFORMATION
Study the operating instructions that come with new cooking appliances.
