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I have fitted three of these in the last week ,All between 18 mths- 3yrs old
So cash calls not warranty 😀
But the customers always say the same thing why should my v expensive appliance fail so young ,They all fail in the same way burnt out /distorted contact ,Does anyone else come across these ?Lawrence
Er, Lawrence, um – ah – what are you talking about? Commutator – something for brushes to run against – washing machines?
Confused,
Chris.Commutator switch P, do you not know nuffin?! :rotfl:
It’s a generic term used for the crappy bakelite/plastic type things with bits of copper on them, often dark red in colour and sometimes black or cream that have a prediliction to burning out. I think it’s because there’s a “commutator” in the centre that is keyed so that as it turns it makes or breaks contacts, okay so you knew that bit but I thought I’d better explain anyway. I think the term’s roots are Italian as we always reffered to them as that for Italian produced stuff.
And yes Lawrence, we’ve had a few go on Smeg as well but I wouldn’t say it was epidemic, merely profitable. 😉
K.
Ok, Right, Good. WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT! Animal, mineral or vegetable? Turn things round? Heat them up? Cool them down? Wot?
STILL confused,
Chris.AMV, I’m not going there. 😉
And it’s to heat them up. Commonly used on ovens as the function “changeover switch”, another common term basically switching from function to function on the oven, often with the stat on the back on non-multi-function ovens.
Terms also used for the switches on a hob where there are 6+off positions (or 7 positions), which can also be used as oven changover swithces al-la Teka.
Confusing isn’t it? 😉
K.
A multi function selector switch on an oven? SEE – I know everyfink – I fink.
Seem to drop like flies on most brands as far as I can tell. The off function seems to turn the light off on the front without actually cutting the power to the switch – can’t be good technically.
It’s easier going to the dentist sometimes…
Chris.
Re: Smeg range ~ Commutators
I dont think its the commutators that are crap, its the spade terminals that seem not to ever be tight enough which in turn cause the plastic (if it were bakerlight it wouldnt be a problem) of the switch to melt and the contacts move out of position which makes it heat up even more and hence melt even more. For a long lasting repair, change all the spades or at least the ones that are on the terminals that have failed.
Dont worry chris, we have all been confused by that commutator word being used by SMEG etc but we all use now it just to confuse everyone else.
Re: Smeg range ~ Commutators
eastlmark wrote: For a long lasting repair, change all the spades or at least the ones that are on the terminals that have failed.
I normally find this works as well ,Shame they are not a better quality in the first place though
eastlmark wrote: Dont worry chris, we have all been confused by that commutator word being used by SMEG etc but we all use now it just to confuse everyone else.
This always makes me laugh, the way the manufacturers describe parts in their parts listings Smeg and servis have to be the worst want a Servis drum ?then order a Basket assy !!??
for a Smeg selector switch read commutator (as above)
anyone got any more ? Maybe this is a new thread on its own ?Lawrence
Re: Smeg range ~ Commutators
Lawrence wrote:anyone got any more ?
Yeah, the Italian (Electrolux mainly) insistence on calling anything relating to a washing machine door a “porthole” something or other, except the door seal which is normally desribed as a “rubber bellow”.
All quite obvious on the face of it, IF you know what description to use when doing a search.
Dave.
Re: Smeg range ~ Commutators
Then there’s Candy calling a plinth / kickstrip a SOCKLE. 😯
Probably someone heard that a sockle get stuck in there if your’e not careful!!Tony C
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