Thermal Flow Switches
|
How to Test Thermal Flow Switches on Electric Dryers If your residential dryer runs, but refuses to produce heat, a faulty safety component, known as a thermal switch, may be the source of your frustration. The purpose of the thermal switch is to prevent your dryer from dangerously overheating by disrupting the flow of electricity to the dryer's heating element. Since a dryer that runs, but fails to produce heat, could signal a problem with a number of other dryer components, performing a quick test of your thermal switch with a digital multimeter is essential to helping you determine what repairs are necessary. Instructions 1.Unplug your electric dryer from its power source before attempting to troubleshoot the appliance. Make sure to shut off any and all electricity from your appliance before continuing. 2.Remove the bottom toe panel of your electric dryer to gain access to its thermal switch. Peer into the space directly above the toe panel to locate the small metal clips that hold the panel in place. Use a putty knife or flat-head screwdriver to apply pressure to the metal clips until the panel comes free. In some models of residential electric dryers you access the thermal switch by removing the dryer's back panel; loosen and remove the screws at each of the panel's four corners to free it. 3.Locate the thermal switch in your residential electric dryer. Look for a thin strip of white plastic that has two wires connected to it. Grasp the wires, and pull gently to disconnect them from the thermal switch. 4.Use a digital multimeter to test your thermal switch for continuity. Power on the digital multimeter, and set it to read "R x 1" resistance. 5.Pick up the two digital multimeter leads and touch them to both sides of the thermal switch. Keep a close eye on the needle of the digital multimeter. Replace the thermal switch if the multimeter needle fails to move; if the multimeter needle moves to "0," the thermal switch is still functional. |
Previous:Vane Flow Switches next:Metering Pump Flow Switch