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This variable-speed switch controls the speed of a fan. You can easily test and replace it.
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Electrical things are devices that convert electricity into another form of energy. These include large and small appliances, computers, telephones, lighting, and lots more. Electrical things convert electrical energy into movement, heat, cold, light, sound, images, and many other useful services.
Troubleshooting electrical things is surprisingly easy. Once you understand the device's as-designed state you can define the problem and start looking for a solution. For example, a cord either delivers electricity to the device or it doesn't. An electrical switch is on, off, or, in variable switches, at some value in between. A heating element either heats or it doesn't. By thinking of electrical devices as components that have specific jobs—pass electricity, stop electricity, produce heat, turn a blade, etc.—you can more easily figure out what's wrong and what to do about it.
Why is this all so important to troubleshooting electrical things? By checking the as-designed state against the actual state you can determine whether something is working properly—and have the first clue toward fixing it. For example, if a switch is supposed to be on (little or no resistance to the flow of electrical current), but in checking the switch you find the resistance to be infinite (no electricity is passing through it), it's easy to decide that the switch is faulty. Remember: Know what it's supposed to do, then figure out what it's actually doing to decide whether it's working as designed. It's a simple rule that makes troubleshooting any electrical device easy.
Here's something else you should know about electrical devices: There are only a few types, making troubleshooting relatively easy. Small appliances, for example, either heat something, move something, or both. A toaster heats something (bread). A fan moves something (a blade). A hair dryer does both (heats and moves air). A refrigerator uses a motor to move coolant. Even computers and other sophisticated electrical devices have relatively simple functions. They pass, store, or display data.
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