Often, repairing small household appliances and all kinds of home appliances, for example, such parts as a socket or switch, many are carried out without the help of a professional craftsman. Indeed, in reality, one-hand repair of the light switch is within the power of any person who has a little spare time left, minimal skills and several suitable tools, which, as a rule, are in every house. The only thing that is really necessary in this case is a knowledge of the principles of operation of the circuit breaker and the features of diagnostics of operability and possible breakdowns of the device. If you have all this, then only one question remains - "How to correctly and quickly repair the light switch?"
Varieties of circuit breakers
Even now, despite significant progress and improvement of the construction industry, many rooms are still equipped with old-style circuit breakers that were used in Soviet times. You can see these devices not only in stalinkas and houses in villages, but also in prestigious institutions that are state-supported. The switches of the old model were produced in two versions: screwdrivers, which are turned on by turning the knob, and ordinary keyboards.
But today there are a huge number of varieties of modernized circuit breakers, as they say, for every taste:
- keyboard devices with a different number of buttons;
- peculiar toggle switches;
- push-button products;
- touch panels;
- devices regulating the flow of current;
- Dimmers
- multifunctional devices for lighting control at several points of the room from one place.
In addition, such devices can be internal and external, which are intended, respectively, for installation in a special socket or directly on the surface without the need for installation of auxiliary equipment.
Given such an extensive classification, it is not worth repairing a circuit breaker if:
- an old Soviet device is installed;
- there is a low-quality Chinese device or a Turkish switch with a plastic core, manufactured in 2000.
Instead of cheap equipment, it is advisable to install a new switch of a modern type.
In addition, an inexperienced novice should not take on the laborious repair of the touch panel and the device that regulates the smooth flow of current. Indeed, for a person with minimal skills, this process of repairing a remote light switch will be too complicated. In addition, quite expensive tooling and suitable spare parts may be required to repair such equipment. For example, when repairing the SZVO-4 acoustic light switch, basic knowledge is indispensable - it is better to entrust such a device to a specialist.
Signs of a need for repair
In fact, the operability and performance of the device is largely determined by the quality of the wiring made and the installation of the circuit breaker itself. The following signs may indicate a breakdown of the device or some problems in its operation:
- the device simply does not turn on;
- the occurrence of loud crack when you click on the device;
- when turned on, the lamps often burn out;
- during switching on, you can see a short blinking of the lamp and hear the corresponding crack;
- after continuous operation, the circuit breaker case heats up significantly;
- device keys jammed: to turn it on, you need to press several times in a row or make significant efforts;
- the device does not turn off the lighting.
Common breakdowns
Under the principle of operation of the switch, it is assumed that the contacts of the mains are closed and opened. During a circuit, an electrical circuit is switched on and current flows to the lighting point.
The most common causes of breakdowns of circuit breakers:
- wear of contacts;
- damage to the contact housing;
- damage to the terminal or the place of attachment of the wires;
- melting or mechanical damage to the device as a whole.
As for touch panels and remote switches, here most often the device power controllers are subject to repair. As already mentioned, such a task is often beyond the reach of beginners. But if you have a basic knowledge of electronics, you can inspect the controller of the broken device for external defects and identify the cause of the malfunction. More complex devices should be given for the repair of a professional craftsman. So, for example, the repair of the Cadja remote light switch controller should be entrusted to a specialist. After all, it is unlikely that you will be able to do the necessary work at home - most likely, you will only spend a lot of time.
Light switch repair sequence
Before you start repairing the switch, first of all, you must disconnect the line by lowering the switch on the shield. In this case, be sure to place an ad on the counter so that no one turns it on, if the switch you need is located outside the house or apartment. And to warn households will also not be superfluous. This step is mandatory, since it is not safe to repair electrical equipment with the voltage turned on.
The space near the switch should be freed as much as possible in order to place all the necessary tools at hand, and what is not needed should not interfere with work. At the same time, try to decompose the toolbox and spare parts in such a way that it would be most convenient for you to take all the items. Repair, of course, is best done in the morning or afternoon, so that there is enough natural light. However, if you are repairing the circuit breaker in a dark room or if the device breakdown was an emergency, first stock up on an additional light source.
Before repairing the switch, it is advisable to screw at least one lamp into the cartridge, which will act as an indicator of the system's operability.
Light switch repair sequence :
- remove the cover and keys;
- remove the decorative overlay;
- check the voltage on the device using a special indicator;
- unscrew the internal fasteners;
- remove the device from the socket;
- disconnect the switch housing and the device itself from the wires;
- then put fuses on the exposed edges of the wires, or at least just wrap them with electrical tape.
It is advisable to carefully inspect the removed switch to identify damage and signs of poor contact.
Basic ways to fix a switch
The most common cause of device failure is considered to be damage to contacts that lightly burn. In such a situation, you just need to clean the contact groups. This can be done with a small piece of sandpaper.
In some cases, the switch stops working due to poor-quality wire clamps, so it is very important to check how tight the fixing screw is.
The jammed button of the switch indicates, most likely, that there is no lubrication in the design. This may also explain the fact that the switch does not turn on the light.
If the case of the device has melted or has crumbled, the device can no longer be repaired. Such a device will certainly have to be replaced.
Circuit breaker assembly
Assembly and installation of the circuit breaker is carried out in the reverse order. It is very important to check the correct connection of the wires.
Installation Order:
- connect the wires and fix them in the case;
- install and adjust the location of the device, fix it using special clamps;
- install a decorative overlay;
- fasten buttons or keys.
Repair of the switch in the refrigerator
Very often, owners of old refrigerators encounter such a malfunction. Although low temperature and high humidity often lead to breakdowns of lighting devices even in a more modern refrigerator, the switch is no exception. However, it is certainly not worth scaring and sending the device to a landfill because it is very easy to solve this problem.
In fact, the repair of the light switch of the refrigerator with your own hands is carried out similarly to the repair of an ordinary device. First, the refrigerator must be freed from all that is superfluous, including shelves. Then the device should be switched off. Then the same inspection is carried out as in the case with a simple switch, and the cause of the failure is identified. After making the appropriate repair, the switch must be installed in the reverse order.
As you can see, repairing a light switch in an apartment, a house, and even in a refrigerator is extremely easy and fairly quick!