The Importance of Electrical Safety

For your kitchen to function properly, it relies on a variety of different appliances, some of which are more complex than others, but all of which are vulnerable to damage or failure. You may expect issues with your refrigerator, washer-dryer or stove, but you take the range hood for granted until, that is, it fails to cooperate as well. What could be going wrong with this relatively simple device and what should you do?

Where to Start

Even though the range hood may look substantial, it has a straightforward job to perform. Essentially, it's designed to remove steam, excess heat and any microscopic particles that may develop during food preparation. It is controlled by a fan motor, which can be found if you remove the filter and unscrew the trim.

First Things First

If you find that the fan will simply not switch on when called to do so, make sure that you have a look at the circuit breaker or fuse first, as these can often be at the root of the problem.

Testing the Switches

Next, have a look at the switch, which can be either a simple two-way toggle for a single speed range hood or a multi-position switch for different operating speeds. If you have a digital multimeter, then you can attach the test probe to the various fan motor and switch leads to get an instant readout and confirmation of a problem. You will need to turn off the circuit breaker that services this panel before you can test properly.

For a multispeed switch, there will typically be a separate wire for each speed as well as the power input wire, and you will need to check the continuity at each one.

Looking at the Fan Motor

Next, you should turn to the fan motor itself and check the windings within the motor to see if you can determine continuity. Usually, there will be only two leads for a single speed motor, but a variable speed unit could have several more. Once again, make sure that the power to this circuit is switched off before you introduce a multimeter, as this will not only help to protect you but will make sure that you avoid damage to the meter itself.

Fixing the Problems

If you find that you need to replace any of these internal components, then you should call in an electrician to do this for you. Hopefully, you will get everything back to normal as soon as possible, so that you can continue to focus on your Sunday roast.

For more information, contact your local Westinghouse repairs service today.