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Appliance Tip of the Week...
Electric Range Repair Tips:
Checking a surface switch:
Many infinite surface switches physically look different, but they operate almost all the same way.
Test with an ohm meter. . . .Unplug the range. Turn the switch to a high on position, you should be able to hear it "click" into the high position. Remove the wires from the infinite switch. Be certain you know how to replace the wires. Check across from L1 to H1, L2 to H2, and P to H1. If there is not continuity across all these points, the switch is defective.
Test with an voltmeter. . . . . Unplug the range. Remove access covers to get to the switch. Plug the range back in. With voltmeter set to read on the 240V scale, read across L1 & L2. ( no power there, check fuses or wiring ) There should be 240 volts present here. Turn the switch on to a high setting. Read voltage across H1 & H2. There should be 240V present here. If you don't read 240V here, replace the switch.
Element stays on high only:
This is usually a contact inside the switch that has stuck together. Because this contact will not open, the element stays on high heat all the time = new switch time.
Checking a range element:
With the element removed from the range, check across the terminals of the element for continuity with a volt meter. Depending on the manufacturer of the element, you will normally read between 19 ohms and 115 ohms, with an ohm meter. To see if the element is grounded, read between each side of the element terminals to the sheath of the element. If you read continuity, the element is grounded and should be replaced.
Changing a basic bake element:
Disconnect power first!
Checking the terminal block of a range element:
If you have checked the infinite switch and it is good, and the wires coming to the terminal block are good, and the surface element burner is good, then replace the terminal block. You can also read voltage in the terminal block with the switch turned on high. If the burner is good and you read 240V in the block, and the burner is not heating, replace the terminal block. Always check the ends of the surface elements when the receptacle terminal black is gone. Often the connection of the element and terminal block gets loose and burns the terminal block and the ends of the element.
Range/Stove/Oven Repair & Maintenance Parts
Related Linksjeff sr.
Electric Range Repair Tips:
Checking a surface switch:
Many infinite surface switches physically look different, but they operate almost all the same way.
Test with an ohm meter. . . .Unplug the range. Turn the switch to a high on position, you should be able to hear it "click" into the high position. Remove the wires from the infinite switch. Be certain you know how to replace the wires. Check across from L1 to H1, L2 to H2, and P to H1. If there is not continuity across all these points, the switch is defective.
Test with an voltmeter. . . . . Unplug the range. Remove access covers to get to the switch. Plug the range back in. With voltmeter set to read on the 240V scale, read across L1 & L2. ( no power there, check fuses or wiring ) There should be 240 volts present here. Turn the switch on to a high setting. Read voltage across H1 & H2. There should be 240V present here. If you don't read 240V here, replace the switch.
Element stays on high only:
This is usually a contact inside the switch that has stuck together. Because this contact will not open, the element stays on high heat all the time = new switch time.
Checking a range element:
With the element removed from the range, check across the terminals of the element for continuity with a volt meter. Depending on the manufacturer of the element, you will normally read between 19 ohms and 115 ohms, with an ohm meter. To see if the element is grounded, read between each side of the element terminals to the sheath of the element. If you read continuity, the element is grounded and should be replaced.
Changing a basic bake element:
Disconnect power first!
- Remove oven racks, remove the mounting screws from the element mounting plate, found against the back wall of the range oven liner.
- Pull defective element away from the back of the oven wall as far as the wire will allow ( the odd time, the wires may be too short and you may have to disconnect the wires from the element at the back of the range ).
- Remove wire lead screws from the element.
- Replace the element and reconnect the leads ( if only two wires going to the element, it does not matter which goes on left or right wire terminal ).
- Tuck surplus wire behind insulation.
- Line up holes and reinstall new element using existing screws.
Checking the terminal block of a range element:
If you have checked the infinite switch and it is good, and the wires coming to the terminal block are good, and the surface element burner is good, then replace the terminal block. You can also read voltage in the terminal block with the switch turned on high. If the burner is good and you read 240V in the block, and the burner is not heating, replace the terminal block. Always check the ends of the surface elements when the receptacle terminal black is gone. Often the connection of the element and terminal block gets loose and burns the terminal block and the ends of the element.
Range/Stove/Oven Repair & Maintenance Parts
Related Linksjeff sr.