Diagnosing a wiring problem is not as hard as it looks.
Electronic devices are commonplace in most homes, ranging from the coffee maker to computers and stereos, making everyday tasks easier and providing entertainment. These devices depend on functional wiring to operate, and a short in a wire can prevent a device from working. A professional service technician can be hired to find and fix the short, but the cost can be substantial. You can use the same professional techniques to visually diagnose a wiring short, saving the cost of having a technician look for the problem. These techniques can be applied to a wide variety of devices.
Instructions
1. Check the power cord first because it undergoes a great deal of daily stress.
Check the power cord. Power cords usually receive more damage than the wiring inside the device. Plug the device into a wall socket. Turn the device on. Gently shake the power cord while watching the device's power indicator light. If there is a short in the power cord, the power indicator light will flash on and off.
2. Always remove the power cord from the wall socket.
Unplug the device's power cord. Never open an electrical device's casing while it is plugged into a wall socket or turned on. If the device uses batteries, remove them.
3. Open the device's casing. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the case's mounting screws. Place the screws in a plastic bag. Gently remove the casing to access the electronics.
4. Never replace a fuse until the initial problem has been fixed.
Check the device's fuses. If the device has fuses, check them to see if they have been blown. Fuses are used in electrical devices to prevent damage to the device's components in the case of a sudden surge of electricity. Wiring problems will cause a fuse to blow. If the fuses are blown, do not replace them until the device has been thoroughly inspected.
5. Inspect the device's wiring. Using a flashlight, inspect the wiring. Most shorts are a result of loose or damaged wiring. Examine each wire for missing shielding or burn marks. Over time, a wire can have its shielding melt or break off. The exposed wiring can come in contact with metal components within the device that will cause a short.
6. Examine the soldered connections. Check the points where the wire is soldered to components such as a circuit board or switch. Gently pull the wire to determine whether it is firmly connected. Look for corrosion on the soldered terminals.
7. A damaged component will often have a burned smell.
Inspect the electrical components for damage. If the wiring appears intact, the problem is most likely with one of the electrical components within the device. Look for burn marks and corrosion on the individual components. Often, a component will give no sign of visual damage. If the device just stopped working, smell the components. Components that have failed due to an electrical surge will have a burned smell to them.
Tags: power cord, wall socket, burn marks, burned smell, Check power, Check power cord