This image demonstrates the problem of a slip-prone alarm clock. One of the several mode sets used for the clock operation is the radio/alarm mode set.

Note

In this example, the label of the mode set is "Alarm" instead of "Radio", contributing to the mode confusion.

The modes

The radio/alarm mode set has three members (modes):

• On - used to turn on the radio
• Off - used to turn off the radio
• Auto - used to turn it on when the time matches alarm time.

Using as radio

When using the clock as a radio, only the On/Off modes are used.

The incidences

Occasionally, the mode set is unintentionally set to the Auto mode, resulting in unintentional alarms.

Common slip

When changing from On to Off, it is often the case that the switch does not stop at the desired Off state. Instead, it goes all the way to the Auto state.

Updated on 12 Jun 2016.