How to Change a Clock's Time

Changing time on a clock is dependent upon the mechanisms used to do so and the nature of the clock---whether it is analog or digital.

Instructions

1. Analog clocks are defined as clocks that use gears to present the proper time during a cycle or period (60 turns of a particular gear represents 1 minute). This mechanism is usually designed with knobs on the outside of the clock used to manipulate the position of the clock's hands in order to set the time. The typical method for setting the time on an analog clock is to pull the main time-setting knob out, causing the clock's gears to disengage from the full time-keeping mechanism. In this position the knob can be turned in one direction or the other to set the appropriate time. Once the time is set, the knob is pushed in to re-engage the clock assembly and put the clock hands back into the timekeeping mechanism.

2. For digital clocks, the button is the thing. Some digital clocks also use knobs to perform the same basic effect as the knob of an analog clock. Most clocks today, however, use buttons---or a combination of them---to set the time.

3. Once the method is determined to use a combination of buttons, using them in the order described in the instructions will lead to your being able to change the time on that particular clock. For instance, many digital clocks use a combination of two or more buttons to accomplish the task. Using this method, the 'Time' or 'Clock' button is held down while the 'Hour' and 'Minute' buttons are pressed to set the digits to the right time. While AM and PM are not necessarily important in an analog clock (unless, of course, it has a date function), AM and PM do matter on a digital clock, and choosing the right setting is typically indicated by a lighted dot or other representation on the screen of the clock.

4. Some large outdoor clocks, such as clock tower clocks, use the same methods of the analog clock, but the difference in size causes such things as automation or electronic assistance in setting the clock's large hands to the proper time. On the other hand, large digital displays are usually set via control panel and are generally capable of showing more than just the time. Such clocks are popular with banks and churches and show temperature and advertisements or schedules of community events.

5. Setting the time for a clock is fairly straightforward. This is a situation that is hard to mess up due to the relative ease of setting the time in modern devices. While it appears today that everything is going digital, some things---like the analog clock---maintain their place in the greater society and the need to know how they work and how to work with them is still important.