Thread: Ryobi EMS2026SCL powered without switch on?

Hi Kenny, not familiar with the particular unit you mention but I have an earlier model Ryobi and a lot of machinery and electrical background.

Dumb question time, does the switch have a "safety" button that needs to be pressed before the switch can be activated? If so, I am wondering whether this is in fact a Hold On button which is locking the switch in the On position causing it to start as soon as it is connected to the mains supply? Looked at the local manual for this model and there doesn't seem to be anything, ut your version may be different.

Otherwise, if the unit powers up without touching the switch, then it has to be one of these.

The switch contacts have been welded closed by an extreme overload at some time. Not highly likely if the motor runs happily, an overload great enough to weld the switch would normally cause some motor damage leaving it with unreliable starting, uneven running, a burnt smell or visible smoke.

The switch has been bypassed inadvertantly or deliberately by someone who has had the switch section apart for some reason. Maybe the switch failed and someone bypassed it to get the saw going to finish a job, then decided to get rid of it. Alternatively, someone might have replaced the power cord and screwed the terminations to the wrong terminals at the switch leaving it permanantly on.

Metal has gotten into the switch housing and externally bridged the terminals to leave the switch bypassed.

Regardless of cause, the unit needs to be repaired to render it safe to use. It should not be hard to find someone competent to investigate it for you, and suggest what might be done to rectify the problem. Finding the correct replacement switch might be an issue, haven't had to try. As a last resort you try to open discussions with the seller about return/refund if they did not identify the problem at time of purchase.