How to Troubleshoot an Electrical Cord

Electrical cords are part of our everyday existence. Without them, you wouldn't have your morning coffee, be able to run your vacuum or listen to your home stereo. Electrical cords are the lifeline to which our electrical components are connected and fed the necessary power to work.

But sometimes, the electrical cord can become twisted, damaged, nicked or cut. In many cases the damage isn't visible. The only thing you know is that the coffee is not brewing, and without it you are doomed!

Well, don't throw out the coffee machine just yet. You can test the electrical cord to see if it is the cause of your problems or if you just need a new coffee machine.

Here is how to troubleshoot the electrical cord on a coffee machine or any other appliance.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Multimeter Ohmmeter (with alligator clips)
• Screwdriver
• Wire Strippers

1. Look at the front of the coffee machine. Is the time displayed? Do any of the other lights light up?
   
   If not, move the coffee machine to another outlet in the home and plug it in there. If it still does not work, then UNPLUG the coffee machine and take it to a table where you can work on it.

2. Make sure that all of the excess water is removed from the coffee machine before you begin to work on it. Place the carafe somewhere safe.

3. Remove the plate from the bottom of the coffee machine so that you can access the wires.

4. Locate the terminals to which the wires are connected. If the wires are soldered to the terminals, make sure that they are still connected. If they are screwed or clipped onto the terminals, then remove the wires from the terminal.

5. Twist the ends of the wires together.

6. Set your multimeter ohmmeter to RX1. Touch the leads from the tester to each of the prongs on the plug. The meter should read zero ohms.

7. Replace the tester's leads with the alligator clip accessory. Clip one lead on each prong of the plug.
   
   Bend and twist the cord to see if there is any fluctuation in the reading on the ohmmeter. If it continues to read zero ohms, then the electrical cord is good.
   
   If you get a very high reading or a reading that fluctuates, then the electrical cord is bad.

8. If the cord is good, then there is an internal problem with your machine. But if the electrical cord is bad, then you can simply replace the cord.

9. Remove the old electrical cord from the coffee machine and take it to your local hardware store to find a replacement. Once you get the replacement, feed the wire through the hole in the side of the machine, making sure to use the plastic grommet to hold it in place.

10. Strip about 1/4 inch of the insulation from each wire and connect the wire to the terminals. Make sure everything is tight and secure and reassemble the coffee machine.

11. Plug the coffee machine back in and make sure that the time display comes on. Now just put on a pot of your favorite coffee and sit back with a steaming mug and pat yourself on the back.
    
    That just may be the best tasting cup of coffee you ever had!

Tips & Warnings

• If the electrical cord wires are soldered to the terminals, then you may not want to bother trying to unsolder them, unless you know what you are doing.

[davedonovan]

on 1/26/2008 Yes, the coffee makers must be saved! Tea just doesn't cut it!

[grouch]

on 1/21/2008 Wonderful job saving coffee machines every where. Thanks for the great tips.