Small Appliances – Machine and Equipment and Repair  Certificate Course

There are 8 Lessons:

1. Scope and Nature of Small Equipment Repair

• Introduction
• Terminology
• Scope and Nature of small equipment repair
• Basic electrical principles
• Series and parallel circuits
• Components inside equipment and appliances
• Electrical Components
• Electromechanical components
• Materials

2.   Equipment, Tools and Safety

• Who is responsible?
• Tidiness
• Crowded Sites
• Other Hazards
• Deliveries
• Clean up & Tool Storage
• Measuring devices/tools
• Electrical
• Safety
• Types of adhesives/ tapes that can be used
• Using power tools
• Legal Consideration

3.  Practices and Techniques Used in Repair

• Metals
• Plastics
• Soldering
• Wire-stripping
• Screws/Bolts/Rivets/Welds

4.  Parts for Small Appliances or Equipment

• Parts of small appliances
• Cord set
• Switches
• Relays
• Fuses
• Controls
• Light Fittings
• Small components
• Damaged Parts

5.   Household Appliances

• Home appliance repair
• Dimmer switches
• Smoke alarms
• Fans/ blower
• Space heaters
• Air-conditioner
• Blenders & food processors
• Toasters
• Sewing machines
• Hair dryers
• Vacuum cleaners
• Steam irons

6.   Motor and Engine Repair

• Motors
• Parts of a motor
• Types of electric motors and applications
• Common issues of motors
• Winding failures
• Contamination
• Bearing
• Electrical and mechanical issues
• Common indicators of motor problems
• Engines
• Common issues of engines
• Pistons – cracked or holed
• Connecting rods – bent or broken
• Big end connecting rod bearings – noisy and/or worn
• Main bearings – worn and/or seized
• Camshaft lobes – worn
• Crankshafts – cracked or broken
• Cylinder head gasket – blown
• Routine maintenance for motors/ engines

7.  Trades Equipment Repair

• Drills
• Electric Sanders
• Electric Saws
• Grinders
• Leaf Blowers
• Lawn Mowers
• Nail Guns
• Staple Guns

8. Responsible Recycling

• Why recycle?
• Management of Work
• Parts that can be recycled
• Responsible disposal and recycling

Please Note:   Each lesson culminates in an assignment, marked by your tutor and returned with any relevant suggestions, comments, and extra reading, where applicable.

IT PAYS TO LOOK AFTER YOUR EQUIPMENT

Equipment that is built well using the very best materials may have fewer issues; but often equipment may be built using materials that are not optimum, – built with a recognition that they have a limited lifespan.

Whenever you examine a piece of equipment, consider the quality (and cost) of:

• Materials it is built from.
• Its components.
• Its design quality.

Sometimes equipment or components are not worth repairing – Be realistic and pragmatic

• If a cheap motor is damaged – perhaps replace rather than repair.
• If a cheap appliance is damaged, maybe replace the whole appliance.

Terminology
Machines are pieces of equipment designed and built to perform a specific job more easily than what that job could be performed without the machine. The term machines refer to bigger applications.

Appliances are applications of machines but in a smaller level. For example, home appliances such as a microwave oven.

Electrical equipment indicates any appliance, fitting, or material that is operated by electricity or used for controlling, generating, supplying, transforming, or transmitting electricity.

Small machines are used in both domestic and work situations. Domestic machines can include outdoor equipment such as lawn mowers and leaf blowers, or indoor equipment

SCOPE AND NATURE OF SMALL EQUIPMENT REPAIR
Small equipment repair incorporates the maintenance and repair of non-specialist equipment. The kind of equipment that an individual may have at home and/or is readily accessible and used by a range of people.

With any of the pieces of equipment or appliances discussed in this course the first and best course of action in maintaining them will be to apply and adhere to a robust maintenance schedule. Whether this means service activities on a planned basis or thorough cleaning and stowage after each use, proper maintenance will improve the function and extend the life of the equipment.

Should the device stop working the information in this course aims to provide a basis for feeling confidant in investigating the issue and to provide some more detailed explanation for a range of common repairs.

With any repair that is required it is important to remember to be safe and methodical in your approach.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.

Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.

Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.

Qualifications

Q. What qualification will I receive?
A. For individual modules, you would be awarded a Certificate endorsed by TQUK (Training Qualifications, UK), providing you complete all assignments and the exam. If you just want to complete only the assignments and not sit for the exam or finish a Project, then a Letter of Achievement would be awarded. For more details on qualifications available please click here.

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?
A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.

Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.