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A rheostat is an adjustable electrical switch that can be tested and, as necessary, replaced.
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A rheostat is a variable controller that directs the amount of current flowing to many smaller appliance components. For example, a blender with a dial control that can be turned to increase or decrease motor speed uses a rheostat to do so. In addition, rheostats are used as light dimmers. Because rheostats can be damaged by moisture, they can easily malfunction.
Test a rheostat:
- Unplug the appliance and disassemble enough to access the rheostat.
- Set the multimeter on RX1 (resistance times 1) scale. Clip the probes to the rheostat terminals or leads. Zero ohms means the rheostat is okay. As the probes are moved along the rheostat wire, the reading should change incrementally.
- If necessary, use canned (compressed) air to clean around a rheostat wire.
How do you replace a bad rheostat with a new one. Some are electrically connected with easily-removable clips or terminals while others require soldering. Make sure you get an exact replacement rheostat, typically rated in ohms.
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