REPLACEMENT OF DIFFERENT PASSIVE COMPONENTS E.G.

FUSES,
LAMPS AND LAMP HOLDERS:

Checking and replacing fuses:-

Although we often think of fuses as a nuisance, they play an important safety role in preventing
damage to equipment due to electrical overloading, thereby reducing the risk of electrical shock
to patients and staff. You should not dismiss a blown fuse as an inconvenience. It may be a sign
that a real fault has developed, giving you the chance to find and fix the problem before any
serious damage occurs.

Fuses degrade with time and will eventually fail. A blown fuse does not always mean that there
is something wrong with the equipment, and in this article we will show you how to replace such
a fuse.

A fuse is essentially a short piece of wire of a selected diameter and composition so that it
conducts current up to a certain level, but melts or „fuses‟ if the current rises above that level. It
becomes an open circuit when it blows, interrupting the flow of current and preventing damage.

In most cases, the fuse wire is mounted inside a small glass or ceramic tube, fitted with metal end
caps. The glass tube forms a physical guard for the fuse, so that when it blows the molten metal
does not cause damage or injury. A glass tube allows you to see when the fuse has blown: there
will be a gap in the wire or a metallic smear on the inside of the glass.

Procedure

Many electrical devices used in eye care have an externally accessible fuse near the electrical
cord (Figure 1) that you can check and replace by following these steps.

Figure 1.
 1. Disconnect the device from the electrical system.
2. Remove the fuse from its holder. In some cases you may need a small screwdriver to
unscrew the fuse holder cap.
3. Look at the fuse wire. If there is a visible gap in the wire or a dark or metallic smear
inside the glass then the fuse is blown and needs to be replaced. If you cannot see
whether the fuse is blown, follow steps 4 and 5. If the fuse is definitely blown, go to step
6.
4. Set a multimeter (Figure 2) to the resistance or Ω (Ohms) setting.

Figure 2.

5. Place one of the multimeter leads on one end of the fuse. Place the other lead on the other
end of the fuse. If the reading is between 0 and 5 Ω (Ohms), the fuse is good. A higher
reading indicates a bad or degraded fuse. A reading of OL (Over Limit) definitely means
a blown fuse.

General suggestions

 Always disconnect equipment from electrical power before removing a fuse; not
doing so may result in serious injury.
 Always replace a fuse with an identical type, and never substitute a fuse with foil or
another object. This could lead to electrocution and fires.
 Keep enough stock of the fuses used in your clinic or hospital. Store each type in separate
containers with a label describing the fuse's voltage and amperage, whether it is a fast-
blow or slow-blow type, the size, minimum number needed (the minimum stock level),
and the models of equipment that use each type of fuse.
 Check your stock of fuses frequently and order more fuses when it reaches the minimum
stock level.
 If possible, tape a spare fuse to the equipment so that it is available when needed.
More about fuses

You should note the following when replacing fuses to ensure an exact match.

Amperage rating (A). This indicates how much current the fuse can carry. Most eye care
devices have fuses rated between 0 and 10 amperes.

Voltage rating (V). This is the maximum supply voltage that the fuse can safely carry. The most
popular ratings are 125V and 250V.

Blowing type. Fast-blow fuses will blow as soon as the current reaches the fuse's amperage
rating, while slow-blow fuses are designed to tolerate a large number of startup surges and
modest short-term overloads without blowing. Fast-blow fuses usually have a thin wire while
slow-blow fuses usually have a thicker, coiled wire. You should never substitute a slow-blow
fuse for a fast-blow fuse or vice versa.

Size and tube material. Most fuses used in medical equipment have a glass tube but you may
find some with ceramic tubes. The two most common sizes of fuses are:

 American size: 3.2 cm × 0.6 cm (¼ inches × ¼ inch),

 European size: 20 mm × 5 mm (0.8 inches × 0.2 inches).

How to Change a Light Bulb:-

Changing a light bulb sounds like an easy process, and sometimes it is. However, there are
important safety measures to keep in mind. Sometimes, you will need to replace a light bulb that
is trickier. For example, perhaps the bulb is in a very high vaulted ceiling or is a car dome light.

Method 1 Removing the Light Bulb

1 Make sure the power is turned off. This is a good idea any time you are messing
around with electrical fixtures. Why not be safe?

o Just switch the red power button to “off” in your fuse box. Be aware this will shut
off all of your power, not just for one fixture.
o You should also unplug the lighting fixture before you change the light bulb (if
it's a fixture with a plug, that is). If you don't, you could risk getting shocked.
Always be careful around electricity.

2 Take other safety measures. There are a few things you should keep in mind,
especially if the bulb is high up in the ceiling.

o Let the bulb cool off before you unscrew it. If the light was on recently, the bulb
will be hot to the touch, and you could burn your fingers.[1][2]
 o If the bulb is in a ceiling fixture, don't try to balance on an unsteady chair or
something similar. Use a sturdy stepladder. That way you can reach the light bulb
without falling.
o Instead of a step ladder, you can buy a special extension tool to switch a light bulb
that is very high up. This is often safer than trying to climb a ladder. And
remember: You could always hire a handyman! You shouldn't need any other
tools to change a light bulb in a lamp fixture.

Method 2 Replacing a Basic Light Bulb

1 Take the bulb out of the socket. If the fixture is easy to reach, such as a lamp, the
process is pretty straightforward. Sockets do differ depending on your lighting fixture.

o If you have a bayonet mount, which is common in the UK and places like New
Zealand, hold the bulb gently but firmly, and then push down and turn the bulb
counter-clockwise. This should release it from the socket. This type of socket has
two prongs.
o If the socket has a screw fitting, which is common in America and throughout
Europe, you should gently twist the bulb counter clockwise. It should then come
loose from the socket, and you can remove it.
o If the bulb detaches from the screw, then you will need to use a pair of pliers to
remove the screw. Make sure that the power is off then unscrew the screw.

2 Put a new bulb in the socket. In order to put a new bulb into a lighting fixture's
socket, you will want to turn the bulb in a clockwise direction. Just remember: Counter-
clockwise to remove; clockwise to insert.

o The bulb might lock into place or you might have to twist it a bit until you can't
twist it anymore. This will depend on the socket. Don't screw the bulb too tight or
it could break. If you have a bayonet bulb, you will need to align the bulb's base
with the two pins. Push down and then twist upwards, using a clockwise motion.
o In the case of a screw cap bulb, simply place it into the hole and then twist it. You
will usually want to choose a bulb that has the same wattage as the old bulb,
unless you want softer or brighter light than what you already had.
o Check the label on the bulb socket or fixture for the max watt/amp rating. Make
sure the bulb's power rating doesn't exceed that allowed by your lighting fixture
(check with the manufacturer or packaging).
o Turn the switch on so you can know when to stop turning. When the light turns
on, stop turning.

Method 3 Discarding the Old Light Bulb

1 Get rid of the bulb safely. Be aware that light bulbs are very fragile. Thus, you
don't want to just toss them haphazardly in your garbage can. If the bulb breaks, the
shards can cut someone.
 o Wrap the old bulb in the new bulb's package before throwing it away. You could
also wrap the old bulb in a newspaper or old magazine.
o Throw the bulb away in places that children can't reach. Make sure to recycle the
bulb if possible or required in your area.

How to Replace Porcelain Lamp Holders:-

Porcelain lamp holders used to be the most common lamp holders made. They were
nonconductive, they could be made cheaply and quickly, and once installed they were virtually
unbreakable. They were perfect for applications where only a bare bulb was needed, such as a
basement or an attic, and they are still common today. But modern plastics have taken over the
role of the porcelain lamp holder. They have all the same characteristics but they are less
expensive to manufacture and are lighter, which makes installation less tedious.

1 Turn off the main power supply to the lamp at the breaker panel.

2 Remove the mounting screws that hold the lamp holder onto the electrical box. Pull the lamp
down until it hangs from the wires.

3 Touch the leads of the voltage tester onto the wires on the lamp holder. If the test light does
not go on, this means the power is off. If the test light goes on and you are sure the breaker has
been flipped off, flip the main breaker in the breaker box. Test the fixture again to make
absolutely sure that the power is off.

4 Remove the wires from the lamp holder. There will be a white wire and a black wire. If one of
the wires breaks as it is being removed, strip approximately 1/4 inch of insulation from the
wire with a utility knife. Bend the wire into a hook shape.

5 Attach the wires onto a new plastic fixture. They are available at hardware stores. The black
wire goes to the copper or golden-colored terminal, and the white wire is screwed onto the
silver-colored terminal. Hook the wires underneath the flared head of the screw so that the
hook neatly wraps around the screw post. Make sure it is hooked in a clockwise direction
because that is the way the screw will be turned.

6 Firmly tighten down the screws to make the connections tight. Once tightened, replace the
fixture on the electrical box and tighten down the mounting screws. Put a bulb into the socket
and flip the breaker on.