ITEM: lamp
BRAND: unknown
MODEL: unkown
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: unknown

PROBLEM: returning customer with a new switch to replace the old one

REPAIR:

1. PAT test: pass. the lamp was helpfully brought in already disassembled by the customer
2. pried open the switch board casing and removed the switch board. the new switch board is not identical to the old one but supervisor Koushik said it wouldn't matter
3. cut the heatwrap to take a photo of the connections and then opened the crimps to disconnect the switch board
4. connected the new switch board. soldered the connections for extra robustness and attempted to put the crimps back on
5. one of the wires was still exposed after putting the crimp on, so i had to resolder the connection more cleanly to fit better into the crimp and try again
6. unfortunately on the second try, i cut the crimp because i used the wrong tool to squeeze it. had to resolder the connection yet again
7. finally with some help from Koushik with a new crimp, the connections were all done
8. the new switch board did not fit into the old case since it is not identical, so i improvised with electrical tape to make half the case work
9. PAT tested: pass. tested it plugged in: no light.
10. replaced the bulb with a new one (that the customer had also helpfully bought incase). tested it again plugged in: no light.
11. had to handover to Koushik to see what was wrong with the multimeter. tbh i'm not too sure what was wrong because most of his testing showed the new switch was working but nonetheless, he got the light to switch on!
12. tried to start reassembling but ran out of time. there was a fiddily small screw and the customer validly could not remember how she originally took the lamp apart as she did it 2 months ago.
13. PAT test: pass

OUTCOME: Koushik advised the customer to come back next month after reassembly at home for a final PAT test

-18/07/2026 @ A&S Rotary (Addiscombe & Shirley Repair Cafe)

ITEM: fan
BRAND: unknown
MODEL: unkown
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: bought 3 years ago

PROBLEM: nothing happens when turned on

REPAIR:

1. joint repair with fellow fixer Samson. PAT test: pass. tested plugged in: nothing happens
2. we unscrewed and disassembled the fan casing, then the body (where the switches are), then the head (where the motor is)
3. we used the multimeter to test the switches. we were pretty sure we were toucing the right bits of metal but weren't getting any results. unsure of how else we were supposed to test it (recurring theme for this repair)
4. moving on to the capacitor, there were no signs of it being blown so we thought the problem might be with the motor (like a blown thermal fuse)
5. we realised we did not know how to test the motor without disassembling the casing so reluctantly we did. some solid grease fell out which we were able to put back so overall wasn't as bad as we thought
6. tested the thermal fuse and all the motor connections: at first we thought there may be connection issues with the red wires infact we had just been probing inaccurately so everything was actually fine
7. Samson tested the capacitor and the resistance reading wasn't matching what it was supposed to be. we weren't 100% sure that the issue is the capacitor however, as it could still be the switches or some loose connections somewhere
8. after reassembling we PAT tested and it only passed with 2 of the switch modes but not on 1 of the switch modes. we asked manager Ana for help and after a magic touch, it somehow suddenly passed on all switch modes
9. tested fan plugged in and stil not working
10. ran out of time to properly diagnose the problem

OUTCOME: Ana advised the customer to come back another time, or dispose the fan to ewaste

-11/07/2026 @ Victoria Fixing Factory

ITEM: kettle
BRAND: unknown
MODEL: unkown
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: unknown

PROBLEM: no fuse

REPAIR:

1. joint repair with fellow fixer Samson. PAT test: fail - plug needs fuse
2. we found a fuse, however the fuse holder was missing its cap so the plug itself had to be replaced
3. cut the old plug off and stripped the wires
4. wired new plug
5. was worried about the new plug taking 13A fuse whilst the old plug took a 10A fuse. manager Ana said it was fine
6. PAT test: pass. tested plugged in with water: water boiled and kettle turns off by itself

OUTCOME: Success!

-11/07/2026 @ Victoria Fixing Factory