Safety during appliance troubleshooting
Safety takes priority over finding the cause. This page brings together stop signals, disconnection rules and the limits of user-level tasks.
Safety rule: stop when there is smoke, sparking, a burning smell, electric-shock signs, an active leak, cracked hob glass or suspected gas. Disconnect only when it is safe to do so.
Stop signals
- Smoke, flame, sparks and burning smell.
- Electric shock, tingling cabinet or protection trips.
- Active leak near cable, socket or controller.
- Cracked hob glass, suspected gas or unexpectedly hot casing.
Safe disconnection
- Do not touch a plug with wet hands or while standing in water.
- If plug access is unsafe, use the correct circuit isolation only when you know which control is appropriate.
- Shut the water supply only when it can be reached without contacting the leak or power.
User-task boundary
- Do not remove covers or panels.
- Do not perform electrical measurements without competence.
- Do not interfere with gas or refrigeration circuits.
- Do not bypass door locks, sensors or thermostats.