Part 3/9:

What makes a toaster tick—literally? The answer lies in how its components work together in harmony. A typical toaster is more than a box with nichrome wire. The key lies in its lever, which plays multiple crucial roles: acting as the power button, retention latch, and the mechanism for lowering and lifting the bread.

When the toaster is plugged in, pushing down the lever engages a set of contacts that complete the circuit and allows power to flow to the heating elements. However, what is fascinating is how the lever remains down once the toaster is engaged. The secret lies within an electromagnet neatly tucked inside the appliance. As long as the toaster has power, the electromagnet holds the lever in place, sustaining the toast cycle until it is timed to release.