Otis Singleton
Electric clocks can lose time due to several reasons. One of the most common causes is buildup in the battery compartment or the hand mechanism, which can be fixed by cleaning the affected parts. Some electrical clocks rely on the frequency of the electrical grid, which can vary, causing the clock to lose or gain time. Additionally, the crystal in digital clocks may vibrate at inconsistent rates, slowly throwing off the time. Quartz clocks, on the other hand, are generally dependable, requiring only occasional battery replacements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Buildup in the battery compartment | Dust, leaky battery |
| Buildup in the hand mechanism | Dust |
| Type of clock | Analog, digital, quartz, electric, crystal |
| Type of power source | Battery, electrical currents |
| Power grid frequency | 60 Hz (US), 50 Hz (Europe) |
| Power grid synchronization | 4320000 cycles per day in Europe |
| Accuracy of crystals | 5 to 20 parts per million |
| Circuitry tolerances | Variations in vibrations, resistor values |
| Design of the circuit | Mathematical errors |
| Clock hands | Loose, bent, too close together, catching on each other |
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What You'll Learn
Electric clocks may lose time due to power grid frequency deviations
The power grid frequency is determined by the number of cycles per day, and all grids attempt to synchronize their electricity to the correct number of cycles. For example, the European grid is synchronized to 432,000 cycles per day and is usually accurate within one second. However, there can be drift, or deviation, in the frequency, which can cause clocks that rely on the power grid frequency to keep time to become inaccurate.
In some cases, the deviation may be due to a dispute between countries over the power supply, as was the case in Europe in 2018 when a dispute between Serbia and Kosovo affected the frequency of the continent's synchronized electricity network, causing clocks to run slow.
To compensate for these deviations, some grids allow for a certain amount of drift before correction is required. For example, on the East Coast of the United States, time is allowed to drift by up to 10 seconds before it is corrected, while on the West Coast, only 2 seconds of drift is permitted.
It is worth noting that all ordinary clocks will gain or lose time compared to the standard time kept by atomic clocks, which are considered the most accurate timekeeping devices.
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Analog clocks may lose time due to dust or leaky battery buildup
Clocks that have been placed in dusty environments can also lose time due to dust buildup in the hand mechanism. To fix this, you need to gently remove the hands of the clock by first removing the pin or threaded cap that holds them in place. Once the hands are removed, use a damp rag to wipe down the rotation axle components and the hands themselves before reassembling the clock.
In addition to causing issues with the battery and hand mechanism, dust can also contaminate the oil in a clock, causing it to thicken or dry out. This can lead to increased friction and wear on the gears, resulting in the clock losing time. High humidity can also introduce moisture into the oil, leading to rust and corrosion, while extreme temperatures can cause the oil to evaporate or thicken. Therefore, it is important to regularly clean your clock and ensure it is not exposed to extreme temperatures or high humidity levels.
If your clock is losing time and none of the above solutions work, you may need to replace the entire mechanism. This can be purchased inexpensively from a hobby store or online.
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Digital clocks may lose time due to crystal vibrations
Digital clocks, including quartz digital clocks, are generally very accurate. However, they may lose or gain a small amount of time over a given period. This time gained or lost usually only amounts to a few seconds or minutes each year, which is often not very noticeable.
Digital clocks lose or gain time due to inconsistencies in the vibrations of an oscillator. These inconsistencies are caused by changes in temperature and air pressure, which cause the oscillator to vibrate slightly faster or slower than its usual speed.
The function of a digital quartz clock involves a small quartz crystal inside the clock. Quartz is used because its molecular structure is uniform, resulting in consistent vibrations that can effectively mark the constant passing of time. When an electric charge from the clock's battery or another power source passes through the crystal, it vibrates back and forth, or oscillates, at a set frequency of 32,768 times per second. For every 32,768 oscillations of the crystal, a circuit in the clock, called a counter circuit, counts one second. The circuit then releases one electric pulse for each second detected based on the crystal's oscillations.
The crystal in a digital clock may vibrate 1000 times per second, but sometimes it can vibrate outside this range, such as 1003 times or 995 times per second. These tolerances in the circuitry will slowly throw off the time in the clock. Another tolerance issue could be the part of the circuit that counts the frequency.
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Clocks may lose time due to loose hands
Clocks may lose time due to several reasons, one of which is loose hands. This issue is common in mechanical clocks, especially older ones, where the hands or "shafts" (arbors) become loose due to wear and other factors.
Loose hands can cause the clock to display the wrong time or make the hands wobble when moving. If the hands are not properly secured, they may also fall off. This problem can be fixed by tightening the nut that holds the hands in place with a small screwdriver. However, it is important to be gentle and not overtighten, as this could damage the clock mechanism.
If the hands continue to loosen, replacing them may be necessary. Before attempting any repairs, it is important to identify the clock type, as different clocks have unique mechanisms. Additionally, ensuring proper hand installation during reassembly is crucial for smooth operation and accurate timekeeping.
In some cases, the issue may not be with the hands themselves but with the movement or mechanism of the clock. It is recommended to inspect the clock movement for any signs of damage or wear, as a faulty movement may need to be replaced.
It is worth noting that other factors can also contribute to a clock losing time, such as issues with the electrical grid, the crystal in digital clocks, or buildup in the battery compartment or hand mechanism.
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Quartz clocks may lose time if the battery terminals are dirty
Quartz clocks are known to be low-maintenance, with their frequency being very stable and less prone to changes in temperature, humidity, or other ambient conditions. However, if you find that your quartz clock is losing time despite having a new battery, the issue could lie in dirty battery terminals.
Battery terminals are the metal strips that supply power from the battery to the clock. Over time, these terminals can become corroded or oxidised, especially in humid environments like bathrooms. This corrosion or oxidation can manifest as a grey or green coating on the terminals, impeding the flow of electricity and causing your clock to lose time.
To address this issue, you can clean the battery terminals. Start by opening the battery compartment, usually located on the back of the clock. Remove the old battery and use a damp Q-tip, cotton ball, or cotton bud to gently wipe down the terminals. Ensure that you dry the terminals thoroughly with a clean cloth or paper towel before inserting a new battery.
In addition to cleaning the terminals, you can also clean the magnetic rotor axle, which can become tarnished if made of brass. This tarnish increases friction and causes the clock to lose time. Clean this axle with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol or ethanol) and a cotton bud.
By regularly cleaning the battery terminals and other clock components, you can help ensure that your quartz clock maintains accurate timekeeping.
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Frequently asked questions
Electric clocks can lose time due to several reasons. One common reason is that there is a buildup of dust or leaked battery acid in the battery compartment, causing the battery to not connect fully with the clock mechanism. Another reason could be that the hands of the clock are not adjusted properly and are touching each other, causing friction and affecting the clock's accuracy. In some cases, the clock may be taking its timing from the frequency of the electrical grid, which can vary, causing the clock to gain or lose time.
To fix an electric clock that loses time, you should first check the battery compartment for any buildup of dust or leaked battery acid and clean it if necessary. You should also ensure that the hands of the clock are not touching each other and are properly secured to the central spindle. If the clock is still losing time, it may be taking its timing from the electrical grid, which can be unstable. In this case, you may need to replace the clock with one that uses an internal crystal or atomic clock for more accurate timekeeping.
To prevent your electric clock from losing time in the future, regular maintenance is key. Ensure that the battery compartment is clean and free of any buildup. Check the clock hands regularly to make sure they are not touching and are securely attached. If your clock is affected by the frequency of the electrical grid, consider investing in a clock that uses an internal crystal or atomic clock for more accurate and consistent timekeeping.
