1993 Philips U800 Switch Question...

[jmurray01]

Since I bought my U800 I've noticed this, but only got around to asking the question now.

When I turn the cleaner off I can see a spark inside the switch. It is fine when turning on, just off.

Should I be worried ?

 

[vintagerepairer]

No, nothing to worry over, it is called an arc, it is what happens when the contacts are pulled apart or moved together. You see it around lightswitches too.

One of the first attempts at making an electric iron involved two closely mounted rods which gave off a spark when energised as electricity jumped across them. The heat it created was supposed to warm the iron. Unfortunately what actually happened was that the inventor was electrocuted as a result. So the idea never caught on.

You won't see a spark on a good deal of vacuum cleaners as so many of them have caps or foot pedals over the actual switch. The Philips cleaner you have does not have a cap of course.

 

[jmurray01]

"Unfortunately what actually happened was that the inventor was electrocuted as a result." Sorry to be facetious but that made me chuckle.

 

[vintagerepairer]

I bet the poor mans family didn't see it in the same light. But you have to pick out the irony I think.

 

[jmurray01]

Yes, true.

Another reason for me not to iron my clothes though!

 

[turbo500]

Another reason for me not to iron my clothes though

Jamie, there are SO MANY REASONS not to iron clothes

 

[vintagerepairer]

I read now that he probably didn't get electrocuted, maybe that was an urban myth. Here is the iron:

http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/images/I012/10240938.aspx

 

[jmurray01]

Yes, I would say it was a myth, like the people who said the Atkins Diet killed Robert Atkins.