If contacts on a device become badly pitted, what is the recommended solution?

When contacts on a device become badly pitted, replacing the contacts or the entire control is the recommended solution. Pitting is a form of damage that occurs when electrical arcing or excessive current flow erodes the metal contacts, creating small cavities on their surface. This can lead to poor electrical connections, increased resistance, and potential failure of the device over time.

Cleaning the contacts may provide a temporary fix, but it often does not restore the contact surface to a reliable condition, especially if the pitting is severe. Continuing to use the device as is could result in further deterioration, unexpected failures, or safety hazards. Rebooting the device does not address the underlying issue of damaged contacts and would not resolve the operational problems caused by pitting. Therefore, replacing the damaged contacts or the entire control unit is the most effective way to ensure the device operates safely and reliably.