Are there fuses in dryers

In fact, thermal fuses can be found in many modern appliances. The role of the thermal fuse is to prevent fires, by detecting when the dryer drum is overheating, and tripping in response. The dryer will therefore stop running. A thermal fuse is a one-time use component, but luckily, they are inexpensive and easy to replace.

Remember, as the thermal fuse is a safety component, do not use the dryer again until you have replaced it. With a new understanding of what the dryer thermal fuse does, you might still be wondering, where is the thermal fuse on a dryer?

The thermal fuse is just 1 or 2 inches long and should be located on the exhaust duct, but the location of the exhaust duct itself may differ depending on your model. You may now know where to find your thermal fuse, but how can you tell if a thermal fuse has blown? These simple steps summarize the process below:. Once you understand how to tell if a thermal fuse is blown, you can move onto the next step: thermal fuse replacement.

Once you have established that your thermal fuse has blown, you will need to replace it. Luckily, replacing your thermal fuse is a relatively easy task that does not require specialist equipment.

The most important thing is to figure out the reason. If you replace the fuse without fixing the cause, the problem will recur, and it might even cause a fire. A common reason is that accumulated lint has clogged the vent. You may have gone too long without a cleaning, or the venting might not be properly set up.

Make sure that the vent is clean and that it has an unobstructed path. You can find the parts breakdown for many models online; check the diagram for your model to locate the fuse. Alternatively, you can take the fuse out and test it with a multimeter or continuity tester. If it shows less than one ohm, the fuse is still working and the problem lies somewhere else. If it shows an infinite amount of resistance, then the fuse is blown. If you can identify the underlying problem, fix it first.

Then you can replace the fuse. If the fuse is blown, other components responsible for heat have probably been stressed. Replacing those components could save another repair in the near future. Just contact us to schedule an appointment. You must be logged in to post a comment. Bypassing the fuse is only a quick means of detecting whether the fuse is bad. It is not a permanent fix. Disconnect the two wires from the fuse and tie them together with a jumper wire, then turn on the dryer. If it runs and heats, the thermal fuse burned out and must be replaced.

A better, faster means of testing requires an electrical multitester set at its lowest RX setting. Remove the two wire leads from the thermal fuse and touch a multitester probe to each wire terminal on the fuse.

If you get a reading of infinity, the fuse is fine. Any reading less than infinity indicates a triggered thermal fuse you will need to replace. Replace the fuse with an exact match for your dryer make and model.

Then check the dryer for a reason why the fuse burned out. Sometimes, age wears out a fuse, but other times something else failed and caused exhaust temperatures to rise. Ensure the power is still off before troubleshooting, then examine the exhaust duct for obstructions that limited air flow.

You may also want to replace the dryer cycling thermostat along with the thermal fuse.