Generally, a loss of power or a decrease in the overall performance of our power tools can be defined by a poor connection between the power source of the tool (i.e., the power cord or the battery) and the motor of the tool. the tool. However, right where this fault exists along the electric highway is where our journey begins. To find our weak link, simply follow the energy flow from the tool power source to the tool motor and check out our major components along the way.
Starting with the power cord, just make sure there are no cuts or breaks; These will prevent electricity from flowing fully to the tool and the tool motor. If everything looks good with your power cord, our next step is to check your brushes. Although the power switch is the first landing point for the tool’s electrical current, faulty brushes are much easier to spot and are also more commonly to blame for a poorly performing power tool, so for now, skip the switch and move towards the carbon brushes.
If your carbon brushes are no longer making full or effective contact with the armature commutator bars, this will cause weaker performance and can also contribute to difficult starts. First, there are a few reasons why brushes and commutator “break”: Excessive wear, chipping, or weak springs will prevent the carbon block in the brush body from coming into contact with the commutator. Also, heat damage, which will appear to melt, burn, or any other form of discoloration, will prevent the brushes from conducting to their full capacity. This, of course, decreases the overall performance of the tool. When suffering any of the above, the brushes must be replaced quickly to avoid greater damage to the other components of the tools. It is in the nature of damage, particularly heat damage, to spread to neighboring parts within your power tool, so if your brushes are badly damaged, I suggest that you immediately inspect the armature for signs of similar wear. However, if everything looks good in scrub territory, you can check your switch.
I say “could” simply because generally a bad switch will prevent the tool from starting completely rather than just filtering the power output of the tool. However, despite the improbability, heat damage or a badly worn switch may cause decreased performance. Heat damage will appear to burn, char, melt, or discolor the switch body, wires, or wire insulation. Because heat damage is not always clear, if you know that the switch has recently been overloaded or has had excessive best snow blower for gravel driveway exposure to moisture, it may be smart to replace the switch anyway.
Also, and since I’m pretty sure your switch isn’t the issue, we’ll continue with the meatier components of tools, armor, and the field. However, I will first notice that if your armor or field is damaged, you may also see sparks or smoke coming from the tool; Likewise, if smoke or sparks come out of your tool, you almost certainly have armature or field damage. However, such damage can still exist without external signs; but I digress. Now, as you may recall, if your brushes are badly damaged it’s also an indicator of armor damage which, if left unchecked, will quickly spread damage to the field. First, check the armature switch to make sure the bars form a perfectly smooth circle. If there are raised spots or indentations in the circle, this will damage the brushes, contribute to slower or weaker electrical conductivity, and the armature will need to be replaced. Any discoloration on the commutator will indicate heat damage which will also decrease the conductivity and overall performance of the tools.
If the switches are damaged, and especially if they have any visible heat damage, it is important to check the armature assembly as well. Here, the heat damage will again appear to be burned / melted / discolored from the wires or insulation or from the assembly itself. Be aware that a damaged armature set will actually act as a cancer in your power tool that will quickly spread to the other components and quickly deplete the tool’s ability to function.
If any damage to the armor is found, it is important to also check the tool field, which is quite similar to the heartbeat of our power tools. Although generally durable, if the field suffers any heat damage (from overheating, overloading, misuse, etc.) this will certainly take a toll, so to speak, in the performance of your tools. As with your armor, heat damage will appear to melt, burn, or discolor from the field wiring, insulation, or the assembly itself. Remember that both the field and the armature are extremely vital parts of your power tool; if they suffer, you and your work will also suffer. Taking your tool and its components for granted is a sure way to end up with an underperforming power tool.