18/02/2025
Yaroslav Chyhryn
Independent Researcher and Appliance Service Professional
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5272-1763
[email protected]
UDC 621.3:658.5
Abstract
Professional appliance diagnostics requires more than identification of a failed component. A component may be the immediate point of failure while the condition that produced the failure remains active. When service work addresses only the visible defect, the appliance may temporarily return to operation but remain exposed to repeated malfunction, safety risk, unnecessary part consumption, and additional cost. This article examines root cause analysis as a foundational principle of professional residential appliance diagnostics. The study applies a qualitative conceptual approach combining reliability engineering, failure analysis, quality management, and appliance-service practice. It distinguishes symptoms, failed functions, failed components, contributing factors, and root causes; analyzes common causal chains in refrigerators, dryers, washing machines, dishwashers, ovens, and water heaters; and evaluates the organizational consequences of symptom-based repair. The findings indicate that root cause analysis should be treated as … Read More


