Appliance Repair Prospect Heights
Remove the DC motor from the mount. Make sure you remove any electric power source that could cause it to start turning accidentally. You may need to follow the manufacturer's instructions to do this, as some motors are very much wedged into position and could pose a risk of electrocution.
Next, you can test the electric motor's continuity (or connection) by attaching it to a volt ohmmeter. Place the red and black leads in the connections of the meter (the black lead should be connected to the "common point" and the red lead to the "ohms"), and then ensure that the meter has been set to "ohms". Test that the meter is working properly by touching these two leads together - the screen should read zero ohms (or full continuity).
To test your DC Motor, touch the leads on the ohmmeter with the leads on the motor. The screen of the meter should show a low resistance between 10 and 30 Ohms. If it shows an infinite ohms reading or an open circuit, you should rotate the motor's end shaft. The ohmmeter will give different readings when this shaft is turned. This indicates that the motor is fine, but there is a problem in the electrical circuit. If the meter still reads as an open-circuit, the conducting brushes could have gone "bad".
Use a screwdriver to remove the brushes from Good Old Appliance Service the end of the electric motor (you can find them under the plastic end caps at the opposite end of the motor to the drive shaft). Check the brushes for cracks and breaks on the surface. The area of the brush which sits against the conductor should be smooth and curvy. The motor will not work if there are broken wires or springs. If the brushes appear fine, then the problem may be with the commutator.
Remove the screws running the length of the motor with the screwdriver. Inspect the plates that comprise the commutator assembly - there should be an opening between each. If you notice any broken wires or burnt varnish, the commutator has failed and its damaged parts will need to be replaced.
Overloading plugs can cause fire hazards in your home. Too many things are plugged in simultaneously. It can cause the cords to burn up and fire and smoke to come from the plug-in itself. You should check the fuse box if you have too many items connected to one fuse. This can cause the fuse to shut down power to certain parts of your home. If you have the fuse box checked, make sure the wires are not twisted and will not cause a fire. Sparks can be shocking. Unplug the device if it is emitting sparks. This will prevent you from getting hurt and it will also prevent a fire.
It can cause the plug-in to melt if it gets too hot, and it will leave black marks on the face of the plug-in. If this happens, you should not use the plug-in until the wires have been checked to see if they are working correctly and if they are safe to use. It can also fry the sockets in the computer, TV's, and the other electronics that have overloaded it. Overloading plug ins can cause the device to overheat. If this happens, unplug it before it gets hotter. Don't plug-in too many lights at once because that will overload it and blow the circuit breaker.
Extension cords are no different. Do not overload an extension cord and place it on an old rug or carpet. This can cause a fire. Pull the plug out of the wall if you smell smoke. It is likely overheating. If an appliance should short out while plugged-in, it can travel up the wires into the socket and into the wall. This will leave burn marks on both the socket and wall. If this happens, you will have to get the wires in the walls checked out and fixed because that can start a fire at any time if the wires are not replaced.
It will be necessary to remove and clean the fire damage that may have been caused by it. Do not remove them yourself because it can be very dangerous. Before working on the wires, all power must be turned off. Professionals must make sure that the power is working properly when they turn it on. If it's not hooked up correctly, sparks can shoot out and shock you or start a blaze. If it starts a flame, it can spread throughout the house through the wires and fry everything.
