How to Check a Dryer's Heating Element

All electric dryers use an array of heating elements to warm the space enclosure of the dryer. These elements are made of special wires that will create heat when electrical current passes through them. Over time these wires may break and cause the dryer to no longer warm the clothes as they are being tumbled by the motor. Typically, the heating elements are in a separate enclosure and are all electrically connected to each other. This connection forms a single heating circuit. If one wire breaks in the circuit, then the entire heating element will not operate.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Ohmmeter

Instructions

1. Remove all electrical power from the dryer. Turn off the double pole circuit breaker in the main panel box. Pull the large electrical plug that conducts the electricity from the wall outlet to the dryer itself.

2. Use the screwdriver and remove the rear panel of the dryer. There are typically six to eight screws that secure the rear cover to the main frame of the dryer. Place these screws in a secure location so as not to loose them.

3. Locate the main heating element connection box. This is usually located at the bottom of the dryer. Various manufacturers may install the connection box in different locations along the bottom frame. Identify a small metal box where a pair of wires are entering. The entering wires are the power feed wires for the heating elements. The wires may also be in the form of a small cable. Remove the cover to the connection box.

4. Observe that the wires will be terminated to a pair of screws. These two screws are directly connected to the heating elements. Loosen one of the screws and remove only one of the power feed wires connected to the terminal.

5. With the ohmmeter on, place the red lead into the connector marked "ohm" on the face of the ohmmeter. Insert the black lead into the connector marked "com" or "common". Touch the metal ends of the leads together. The meter should read "Zero" or "0" ohms.

6. Touch the red lead to one of the heating element screw terminals. Touch the black lead to the other screw terminal. If the heating element is bad the meter will read "INF" for infinite ohms or it will register nothing. In other words, there will be no movement on the ohmmeter's needle. Good heating elements will register between 8 ohms to 25 ohms, depending on the model of electric dryer.

Tips & Warnings

• Never work on or service any piece of electrical equipment while it is still energized by electricity.

References

• Appliance Aid
• Ohm Check

Resources

• Part Select