How to Troubleshoot Electrical Issues with Your Dryer

Some Australians live with tropical heat for most of the year, and this may make it a lot easier to dry clothes when they come out of the washer. Not everyone is so lucky, however, and they may need to have a separate dryer alongside their main machine to keep the family supplied with replacement clothing. This machine may get a lot of use and especially in a busy household and, occasionally, it will play up. If yours is reluctant right now and the problem appears to be electrical, where should you start?

Electrical Components

Within the casing are a number of different electrical components, designed to provide and regulate heat, and turn the internal drum. You can go through a process of elimination to figure out what is wrong and may be able to repair some of the issues yourself. However, the bigger jobs may not be suitable for an amateur, and you may well need to call in an electrician.

First Things First

To begin with, make sure that the machine is receiving electricity and that the fuse is still in good condition. You can use a multimeter to check if the outlet is receiving any voltage as well.

Power Supply

If all seems to be okay at the outlet, you can check if the machine is receiving voltage through the power cord. To do this, you need to remove the access panel where the cord disappears into the back of the machine, and this will reveal the terminal block. Once again, you can use a multimeter to see if power is getting to the machine, but you will need to exercise care as you do this.

Dodgy Thermostat

A thermostat regulates the internal temperature, and if it's developed a fault, it'll cut off power to the heating coil. The thermostat is frequently found in or near to the venting system and close to the blower wheel. You can check to see if it is working correctly by touching the multimeter to each terminal. If you do not get a reading, then the thermostat is likely bad and will need to be replaced.

Burnt Element

Your machine is equipped with a heating element, which looks something like a tightly coiled wire. You can find this by taking the rear panel off the dryer, and you should carefully inspect to look for signs of wear. If you notice any scorch marks somewhere along the coil, then this part may need to be swapped out.

Seized Motor

The dryer relies on an electric motor in order to turn the drum, and a belt runs through a series of pulleys to transfer the power to the drum itself. If the machine is receiving power, but the motor is not turning, then it may have seized. If you can hear a faint buzzing noise and the motor is vibrating, then it may need to be taken apart and serviced. This is definitely a job for an electrician.

Expert Assistance

If you feel uncomfortable poking around within the machine, play it safe and call the experts instead.

To learn more, reach out to a local appliance repair service.



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About Me

How to Wire a Plug (and Other Electrical Things) Hello! As the title suggests, this blog will be about how to wire a plug and other electrical topics. I should really come right out and say that I am not a professional electrical contractor. However, just because I am not a professional, that doesn't mean that I don't know what I am doing. My sister-in-law is an electrical contractor and over the years, she has taught me some pretty cool stuff. She helped me to rewire my entire home, install new appliances and to carry out a safety check. I hope to pass on some of the knowledge using my blog.

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