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Heating element in an electric heater is a wire ribbon.
A toaster's heating element is very thin and can easily burn out.
Cooking appliances and coffee makers typically have a sealed heating element that either works or it doesn't.
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A heating element is an appliance component that consists of a metal wire heated by a controlled electric current. The resulting heat is then used to warm or heat something. Heating elements are found in a coffee maker, electric iron, electric heater, heating pad, popcorn popper, electric water heater, and dozens of other gadgets we rely upon. They are even in a hair dryer and slow cooker.
Most heating elements are open ribbon, open coil, or enclosed coil and made of a nickel and chrome alloy. The material responds to electric current by resisting its flow and heating up. It is converting electricity into heat. Its rating is determined by the length and diameter of the wire (resistance in ohms) as well as the electrical current it can carry and voltage it needs to push the current.
To test an element for continuity (ability to pass electricity from one end to the other) and replace it:
- Turn off power to the appliance or device. If the unit is plugged, unplug it from the electrical receptacle (outlet); if the device is wired into the circuit (such as an oven), turn the circuit off at the electrical service panel.
- Disassemble the appliance or device to access the heating element following specific Fix-It Guides. Some heating elements, such as plug-in units in electric ovens, are relatively easy to remove.
- Set the multimeter to the resistance scale (RX1).
- Touch the multimeter probes to each end of the element.
- High resistance (kilo-ohms or thousands of ohms) indicates the heating element is okay. A reading of infinite resistance indicates a broken element.
- If a heating element is faulty, replace it with one of the exact size, shape, power rating, and resistance.
- Reassemble the appliance or device and turn it on or plug it in to test it.
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