A hair dryer is something that is used on a regular basis in almost every home, so it’s not surprising that it needs appliance repairs from time to time.
A hairdryer is a small appliance used in most households to dry hair after a wash. It is also used to style the hair as desired. To achieve this function, it blows the hair out of the nozzle, and the user revolves it around the head to ensure even drying.
It was invented in 1890 by Alexandar Godefroy after he suffered in his salon from the tangled hair when washed. Initially, it was an overhead installation, such that the users could only sit underneath it as the hair dried. This evolved into the current electronically driven appliance and has made salon shops so easy to run relative to the olden days.
However, it encounters several problems during its operations, which we will discuss right here.
How Does a Hair Dryer Work?
Depending on the intended purpose, hair dryers come in different sizes and shapes. However, one thing they have in common is that they all have a switch, fan, fan-speed switch, heat switch, thermal cutout switch, and heating element.
The current delivered to the heating element is controlled by the heating switch controls and, as such, it manages to control the amount of heat being passed to the hair dryer.
On the other hand, the fan speed controls the fan’s motor speed and thereby controlling the speed received by the hair dryer. When the heating element gets overly hot, the thermal cutout switch acts as a safety feature and shuts off the heating element.
Problems Experienced in a Hair Dryer and How to Repair It
There are four significant problems that most users experience. These are switch issues, fan and Motor, heating element, fan, and thermal cutout.
Switch
Note that all hair dryer switches work similarly. The user can put it on or off and regulate high or low speed. If you sense there is a problem with the switch, use the following steps to have it back and working.
- Step 1. Unplug the dryer from the electrical connection switch and unscrew it to remove the housing. The switch is between the electrical cord, the fan, and the heating element. Disconnect it from all these parts.
- Step 2. Use a tester to check if the switch is functional. If it is working, the tester should light at its tip. If it does not, then it needs to be replaced. This is a DIY function, but if you are unsure, getting an appliance repair can help save the dryer.
Fan and Motor
The importance of the fan is to pull air in through the vent and push it later into the nozzle. The fan speed takes up and feeds the current. But then it may experience issues due to moisture and hair tangles, where the air and its moisture contents can clog the filters and reduce the air intake. How to fix;
- Step 1. Lift off the housing by removing the housing screws.
- Step 2. Check if the fan blades are functional and replace them as needed.
Using a continuity tester, confirm if the current flows through the motor. If faulty, then consider replacing it. To get the best replacement motor, use the appliance repair in Borden to get the original motor that will work for an extended period. They will advise on the right watts for your dryer and the acceptable size.
Heating Element
The work of the heating element is to transform electric energy into convective heat. It is a high-resistance wire that is installed in the appliance nozzle. When the electric power is switched on, the current passes through the element and heats up to spread the heat to the fan. How to fix;
- Step 1. Unplug from the electric connection and remove the hairdryer’s housing.
- Step 2. Confirm that there are no breakages or clogs in the two wires leading to the element. This can be done using the continuity tester. The circuit should have a continuity light on. If it is not working continuously, then buy the element from an expert appliance repair and have it replaced.
Thermal Cutout
The purpose of a thermal cutout is to put off the hair dryer element if it is too hot. How to fix;
- Step 1. Access the element assembly by opening the housing and checking for debris, oils, or discoloration.
- Step 2. Clean any of the issues you might find with emery paper but ensure that when removing the debris, the cutout is loose enough to avoid damaging the element wires.
Conclusion
As you work towards ensuring that the hair dryer is up and running, ensure you have the right tools such as wrenches, screwdrivers, and a multimeter. This will help you to access the entire dryer and have any problems sorted. The tips given here will help you in sorting the same.
