An electric dryer‘s high limit thermostat is a crucial safety device that prevents the dryer from overheating. It works by monitoring the temperature inside the dryer drum and shutting off the heating element if the temperature exceeds a certain threshold. This prevents the dryer from starting a fire or damaging your clothes.
How to Test an Electric Dryer High Limit Thermostat
If you suspect that your dryer’s high limit thermostat is not working properly, you can test it using the following steps:
1. Unplug the dryer from the power outlet. This is an important safety precaution to prevent electrical shock.
2. Remove the back panel of the dryer. To do this, you will need to remove the screws that hold the panel in place.
3. Locate the high limit thermostat. The high limit thermostat is usually located near the heating element. It is a small, round device with two wires connected to it.
4. Disconnect the wires from the high limit thermostat. Use a pair of pliers to carefully disconnect the wires from the thermostat.
5. Set your multimeter to the ohms setting. A multimeter is a tool that measures electrical resistance.
6. Touch the probes of the multimeter to the terminals of the high limit thermostat. The multimeter will display the resistance between the terminals.
7. Compare the resistance reading to the manufacturer’s specifications. The manufacturer’s specifications can usually be found on the thermostat itself or in the dryer’s user manual.
8. If the resistance reading is outside of the manufacturer’s specifications, the high limit thermostat is faulty and needs to be replaced.
How to Replace an Electric Dryer High Limit Thermostat
If you have determined that your dryer’s high limit thermostat is faulty, you will need to replace it. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Purchase a new high limit thermostat. You can purchase a new high limit thermostat from an appliance parts store or online.
2. Disconnect the power to the dryer. To do this, unplug the dryer from the power outlet or turn off the circuit breaker that powers the dryer.
3. Remove the back panel of the dryer. To do this, you will need to remove the screws that hold the panel in place.
4. Locate the high limit thermostat. The high limit thermostat is usually located near the heating element. It is a small, round device with two wires connected to it.
5. Disconnect the wires from the high limit thermostat. Use a pair of pliers to carefully disconnect the wires from the thermostat.
6. Remove the old high limit thermostat. To do this, you will need to remove the screws that hold the thermostat in place.
7. Install the new high limit thermostat. To do this, insert the new thermostat into the hole where the old thermostat was located. Secure the thermostat with the screws that you removed earlier.
8. Reconnect the wires to the high limit thermostat. Use a pair of pliers to carefully reconnect the wires to the thermostat.
9. Reinstall the back panel of the dryer. To do this, insert the back panel into place and secure it with the screws that you removed earlier.
10. Plug the dryer back into the power outlet or turn on the circuit breaker that powers the dryer.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you are having trouble testing or replacing your dryer’s high limit thermostat, here are a few troubleshooting tips:
- Make sure that the multimeter is set to the correct setting. The multimeter should be set to the ohms setting when testing the high limit thermostat.
- Make sure that the probes of the multimeter are touching the terminals of the high limit thermostat. The probes should be touching the metal terminals on the thermostat, not the plastic housing.
- Make sure that the wires are securely connected to the high limit thermostat. The wires should be tightly connected to the terminals on the thermostat.
- If you are still having trouble, consult a qualified appliance repair technician.
Recommendations
Testing and replacing your electric dryer’s high limit thermostat is a relatively simple task that can be completed in a few minutes. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your dryer is operating safely and efficiently.
Popular Questions
Q: What are the symptoms of a faulty high limit thermostat?
A: The symptoms of a faulty high limit thermostat can include:
- The dryer is not heating up.
- The dryer is overheating.
- The dryer is shutting off prematurely.
Q: How often should I test my dryer’s high limit thermostat?
A: You should test your dryer’s high limit thermostat once a year to ensure that it is working properly.
Q: Can I test my dryer’s high limit thermostat without a multimeter?
A: Yes, you can test your dryer’s high limit thermostat without a multimeter by using the following steps:
1. Unplug the dryer from the power outlet.
2. Remove the back panel of the dryer.
3. Locate the high limit thermostat.
4. Disconnect the wires from the high limit thermostat.
5. Hold the wires together and plug the dryer back into the power outlet.
6. If the dryer starts heating up, the high limit thermostat is faulty and needs to be replaced.
