Electric Dryer Circuit Troubleshooting Checklist
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I am on my third electric dryer. First one we replaced because we were told the board was bad. We purchased another and it did not work. Here is a Dryer Circuit Diagnostic Checklist. © By: Dave Rongey |
Dryer Circuit Diagnostic Checklist
Question: I am on my third electric dryer. First one we replaced because we were told the board was bad.
- We purchased another and it did not work. We put the old one back and it worked intermittently. We had an electrician come in twice. He tested the line-said it was good. He replaced the breaker. We bought a tester. The line registered good. Finally, we bought another dryer. It worked about 3 weeks. Now we have the same problem.
- The light comes on inside the dryer and it acts like it wants to start but it won’t. Last night it would not start. This afternoon it started. In the mean time we cleaned out the exhaust. I am concerned that I may have an electrical hazard. Maybe there is a problem with the wiring. Help!!
This question came from Kathleen, a Homeowner from Bellaire, Texas.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Kathleen.
Kathleen, The following are the electrical components that should be checked by a qualified electrician, or a qualified appliance service technician.
Dryer Circuit Diagnostic Checklist:
1.) The dryer outlet – Look for loose or burnt wires.
2.) The circuit wiring – has the circuit wiring been damaged.
3.) The circuit breaker at the panel – the connections, internal contacts.
4.) The connection between the circuit breaker and the main buss of the panel
Turn off the main breaker, remove the dryer circuit breaker, inspect the contact surfaces between the circuit breaker and the main panel buss.
If the surface has been damaged then install a new breaker in a different position in the panel and install breaker blanks in place of the old breaker position.
The Following resources will assist you with your electrical question:
Circuit Breakers Dryer Wiring Circuit Breaker Electrical Wiring Protection using Circuit Breakers A guide to home electrical circuit breakers and how they work to protect your electrical wiring. When properly installed, your home electrical wiring is protected by a circuit protection device. Wiring a Dryer Wiring a Dryer See an electric dryer installation with a typical 220 Volt electric power cord wiring system. You may find yourself with either a 3-wire or 4-wire electric dryer, or a 3-wire or 4-wire outlet. Lets look a how the electric dryer is wired and what to do if your cord does not match the plug. Using a Tester When working on home electrical wiring, quality voltage testers can play an important part in electrical safety. Electrical testers enable you to identify electrical circuits and help prevent the possibility of accidental electrical shock. |
The following may also be helpful for you:
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Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.
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