Wiktor Wise
If you have an older electric dryer, it likely has a thermal fuse, a safety feature that prevents the appliance from overheating and damaging the motor or other components. This fuse is designed to blow or trip when the dryer gets too hot, interrupting the voltage and cutting power to the heating elements. When this happens, you'll need to replace the fuse, which you can typically find at the back or bottom of the machine, near the exhaust duct or vent. However, the location may vary depending on the dryer model, so it's best to consult the user manual. Replacing the thermal fuse can be a DIY project, but unless you have electrical expertise, it's recommended to leave this task to a professional to avoid any potential issues or voiding the dryer's warranty.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is a thermal fuse | A safety device that protects the appliance from overheating and potentially damaging the motor or other sensitive components |
| When does the thermal fuse blow | When the dryer gets too hot, the thermal fuse trips or blows, shutting the power to the heating part of the dryer so that it does not overheat |
| What happens when the thermal fuse blows | The dryer may continue to spin but it won't heat up |
| What to do when the thermal fuse blows | Remove the fuse from the appliance and test it to determine if it has blown or not before purchasing a new one |
| How to test the thermal fuse | Use a multimeter to check for electrical continuity. If the meter display shows zero ohms of resistance, the fuse has electrical continuity and has not blown. If the meter display shows no significant change, the fuse has blown and will need to be replaced |
| How to replace the thermal fuse | Disconnect the wires from the old fuse using a screwdriver and needle-nose pliers. Hook the wires up to the new fuse, ensuring they are connected the same way as before. Put the fuse in place and secure it with a screw |
| Where to buy the thermal fuse | Replacement parts can be bought online for less than $20 |
| Who should replace the thermal fuse | Unless you have electrical expertise, installing it is a job best left to a professional |
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What You'll Learn
How to know if a fuse is blown
Older electric dryers, like many modern appliances, are equipped with a thermal fuse—a safety device that protects the appliance from overheating and causing potential damage to its motor or other sensitive components. When a dryer begins to overheat, the thermal fuse is designed to "blow" or "open", interrupting the voltage and preventing power from reaching the motor and heating components.
A blown thermal fuse is the most common reason a dryer won't start, run, or heat. However, before purchasing a replacement fuse, you should remove the fuse from your dryer and test it to determine if it has blown. On electric dryers, the thermal fuse is often located on the blower housing or near the heating element, while on gas dryer models, it can be found near the burner. To access the fuse, you may need to uninstall the rear panel or a lower front access panel, or in some cases, fully disassemble the appliance.
Once you have removed the fuse, you can use a multimeter to test for electrical continuity. Here are the steps to test a fuse with a multimeter:
- Set the multimeter dial to the lowest setting for "Ohms of resistance".
- Touch the black lead to one of the fuse's terminals and the red lead to the other terminal.
- Observe the reading on the multimeter. A good fuse typically shows very low resistance, near zero ohms.
- If the meter display shows zero ohms of resistance, the fuse has electrical continuity and has not blown.
- If the meter display shows no significant change or infinite resistance (often displayed as 'OL'), the fuse has no continuity and has blown.
It is important to note that a blown fuse may be a symptom of a larger issue. Something caused the fuse to blow, so it is important to check your dryer vent and keep it clean and clear. Other components may be failing as well, so take the time to clean out your dryer and inspect the condition of everything inside. If you are unsure, consider contacting a repair technician to diagnose the root cause of the blown fuse.
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Where is the thermal fuse
The thermal fuse is an important safety feature in your dryer that prevents it from overheating and causing a fire. It is usually located at the back or bottom of the machine, close to the exhaust duct and near the heating element or burner.
To locate the thermal fuse, you will need to remove the rear or lower front access panel of your dryer. On some models, you may need to fully disassemble the appliance by removing the top panel, front panel, front bulkhead, and the dryer's drum.
Once you have accessed the thermal fuse, you can identify it by its physical characteristics. It is usually white or silver in colour and looks like a tiny rectangular piece with two wires sticking out from its body.
If you are having trouble locating the thermal fuse, you can refer to your dryer's user manual or look up the specific make and model of your dryer to find more detailed information.
It is important to note that a blown thermal fuse may be a sign of another underlying problem with your dryer. Therefore, it is recommended to identify and address the root issue before replacing the thermal fuse.
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Replacing a thermal fuse
Older electric dryers, as well as newer models, are equipped with a thermal fuse as a safety feature to prevent fires. The thermal fuse detects when the dryer drum is overheating and shuts off the appliance in response. This is a one-time use component, so if it blows, you will need to replace it.
Step 1: Purchase a Replacement Thermal Fuse
Before you start, make sure you have the correct replacement thermal fuse for your dryer model. Thermal fuses are not a one-size-fits-all component, so it's important to get the specific fuse for your dryer. You can find the correct fuse by searching for it online using your dryer's model number.
Step 2: Disconnect the Dryer
Unplug your dryer and disconnect it from its power source. This is important for safety reasons, to avoid any risk of electric shock during the replacement process.
Step 3: Access the Thermal Fuse
Remove the panel covering the thermal fuse. The location of the thermal fuse and its covering panel will vary depending on your dryer model. On electric dryers, the thermal fuse is often located on the blower housing or near the heating element. You may need to fully or partially disassemble the dryer to access the fuse.
Step 4: Remove the Old Thermal Fuse
Once you have accessed the thermal fuse, remove the wires and mounting screw(s) that secure it in place. Then, remove the blown fuse from the dryer.
Step 5: Install the New Thermal Fuse
Position the new thermal fuse in the same location, securing it with the mounting screw(s) and reconnecting the wires. Make sure the wires are connected securely before proceeding.
Step 6: Reassemble and Reconnect the Dryer
Replace the panel that covers the thermal fuse. Then, reconnect the dryer to its power source.
Step 7: Prevent Future Issues
A blocked exhaust vent is the most common cause of a blown thermal fuse. To prevent this issue from occurring again, clean the exhaust vent and keep the dryer vent tube clear of any clogs or bends.
Note: It is recommended to test the thermal fuse before purchasing a replacement to ensure that it is the cause of the dryer's malfunction. You can do this by removing the fuse and testing it with a multimeter or ohmmeter.
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Testing a fuse
Testing with a Multimeter
- First, make sure the dryer is unplugged and there is no power running to it.
- Remove the fuse from the dryer. On electric dryers, the thermal fuse is often located on the blower housing or near the heating element. On gas dryer models, the thermal fuse can be found on the blower housing or near the burner.
- Set the multimeter to the lowest setting for "Ohms of resistance".
- Touch the black lead to one of the fuse's terminals and the red lead to the other terminal.
- If the meter display shows zero Ohms of resistance, the fuse is good, and another component is likely defective.
- If the meter display shows no significant change, the fuse has blown and needs to be replaced.
Testing Without a Multimeter
This method is not recommended unless you are comfortable with electrical work.
- Disconnect the two wires from the fuse and tie them together with a jumper wire.
- Turn on the dryer.
- If the dryer runs and heats up, the thermal fuse has burned out and must be replaced.
Testing by Bypassing the Fuse
This method is a quick way to detect if the fuse is bad, but it is not a permanent fix.
- Disconnect the two wires from the fuse and connect them directly together with a wire nut or electrical tape.
- Plug the dryer back in and turn it on for a short time.
- If the dryer begins to heat, the fuse is bad. If the dryer does not heat, the fuse is good.
It is important to note that you should never leave the dryer fuse bypassed as it is an important safety feature. Always replace a blown fuse with an exact match for your dryer make and model. Additionally, it is recommended to clean the vents and check for any obstructions that may have caused the fuse to blow.
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Fuse won't reset
If your fuse won't reset, it may be that your dryer is overheating. This is the most common reason for a fuse to blow. The thermal fuse in your dryer is designed to protect the appliance from overheating and potentially damaging the motor or other components.
If your fuse won't reset, you may need to replace it. You can test the fuse for electrical continuity using a multimeter. First, rotate the multimeter dial to the lowest setting for "Ohms of resistance". Then, touch the black lead to one of the fuse's terminals and the red lead to the other terminal. If the meter display shows zero ohms of resistance, the fuse has electrical continuity and has not blown. If the meter display shows no significant change, the fuse has blown and will need to be replaced.
If you need to replace the fuse, you can follow these steps: First, unplug your dryer and remove the back panel. The thermal fuse will be located somewhere by the exhaust vent on your dryer and will have two wires connecting to it. Gently wiggle the two wire connectors free and unscrew the thermal fuse. Then, position your replacement fuse and secure it with the screw. Finally, push the wires onto the connection spades on top of the new thermal fuse.
It is important to note that fuses blow for a reason, and you should take the time to clean out your dryer and inspect the condition of everything inside. The number one cause of thermal fuses blowing is the build-up of lint inside the exhaust venting, which makes the dryer overheat. You should also check your dryer vent and keep it as clean and as short as possible to the outside.
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Frequently asked questions
If your dryer is not heating up, the issue might be a blown thermal fuse. You can test this by removing the thermal fuse from the appliance and using a multimeter to check for electrical continuity. If the meter display shows no significant change, the fuse has no continuity and is blown.
The thermal fuse is typically located on the blower housing, near the exhaust vent or duct, or at the back or bottom of the machine. On electric dryers, the thermal fuse is often located on the blower housing or near the heating element.
First, unplug your dryer and remove the back or bottom front panel. Next, unscrew or unclip the faulty fuse and disconnect the wires from the old fuse. Then, hook the wires up to your new fuse, ensuring they are connected the same way as before. Put the fuse in place of the old one, using a screw or clip to secure it, and put the panel back in place. Before running a full cycle, test your dryer by turning it on for a minute to ensure it warms up.
A clogged dryer vent tube, or one with too many bends, could cause the dryer to blow its thermal fuse.
