What Is A Thermal Fuse On A Dryer? 4 Easy Steps To Fix It!

While looking at your dryer, are you wondering what is a thermal fuse on a dryer? If yes, then you are in the right place. The thermal fuse is also known as “thermal cutoff” or “temperature fuse,” opening its circuit to overheating. Its function is to detect the heat due to excess current, and that excess wind is because of a miniature course or breakdown of components.

The thermal fuse does not reset when the temperature drops; just like a circuit breaker would, the thermal fuse does not reset. When the thermal fuse fails or is triggered, it must need to be changed or replaced. 

what is a thermal fuse on a dryer

The thermal fuse is different from a circuit breaker or electrical fuse because it only detects or reacts towards excessive temperature and not excessive current. However, the excess current is adequate to heat the thermal fuse that causes the temperature to trip. This is just an overview, so you better read further!

 

What A Thermal Fuse Is?

To know what is a thermal fuse on a dryer, you first have to its objective. The objective of the thermal fuse is that it works as a cutoff for the device of producing heat. As the name indicates, thermal fuses are mostly found or present in appliances that generate heat, such as hairdryers and coffee makers. It also works as a safety device. It detaches or cuts off the current supply towards the heating element in the case of dangerous temperature rises or malfunction (e.g., faulty or non-functioning or failure thermostat) that could lead to a fire. In short, the primary function of a thermal fuse is to prevent fire. 

 

Problems In Thermal Fuse On A Dryer

When thermal fuse trips, many dryers will not start or run. While the drums and dryer will run or activate in some other models, the heating element does not work. When the drying cycle of the appliance is completed, the clothes come out from the dryer wet. Manufacturers’ inconsistency is present from model to model, even within the same brand. 

 

Steps To Fix Thermal Fuse On A Dryer

The following steps can follow to solve the problems in thermal fuse on a dryer:

 

Step #1. Find the Fuse

The first step is to find out the location of the thermal fuse. Thermal fuses are located on the exhausted duct of a dryer. Firstly, you must detach the dryer’s back panel to reveal the fuse. Make sure to cut off the power supply or current to the dryer before attempting and troubleshooting the fuse. The shapes, sizes, and materials of thermal fuses are different from model to model. Some are made up of metal, and others are from plastic. It is a small device about 2 inches long and is located directly on the top of the dryer’s exhaust duct. 

 

Step #2. Bypass method

It is a prevalent method to test whether the thermal fuse has worked or not. Bypassing a fuse is a straightforward and only way to find out or determine whether the fuse is blown or not. It is not considered a permanent solution. The two wires are removed from the fuse, connected with jumper wires, and then turned on the dryer. If it works and becomes hot, the thermal fuse is blown and replaced. Know how to bypass a thermal fuse on an electric dryer.

 

Step #3. Multi-tester test

The most common, fast, and better way of testing needs an electrical multi-tester set at the lower RX setting of the thermal fuse. The two wires are removed from the fuse and use a multi-tester probe to touch with these two wire terminals. If the reading is towards infinity, the fuse is OK. But if the task is less than infinity, it means that there is a need to replace the thermal fuse. 

 

Step #4. Troubleshooting

At last, you can change or replace the thermal fuse with the exact matches of the manufacturer and the dryer model. Now check the dryer for knowing why the fuse has blown. Sometimes, the fuse is blown because of age wear out; on the other hand, it is also because something else failed and the temperature of exhausted gas may rise. 

Before troubleshooting, make sure that your connection to the power supply is cut off, and then check the exhausting duct for obstacles that obstruct the airflow. Then check the fan blades of the blower motor for damage or breakage and make sure that the engine is not constrained. You can also change or replace the thermostat of the dryer cycle with a thermal fuse. If this thermostat of the dryer cycle is failed, then the thermal fuse may blow. 

 

Note: 

A thermal fuse can never be replaced with a regular fuse. Also, the thermal fuse can never be reset in case of its failure, but it must need to be replaced. 

 

It’s A Wrap!

Till now, you must have known what is a thermal fuse on a dryer? You can use the information mentioned above while working on a thermal fuse on a dryer. Also, you can replace or change your thermal fuse with the help of the steps mentioned above. But still, if you have any problem or issue regarding the thermal fuse, call any technician for help.

Don’t hesitate to know these things too; read about how do I fix my LG dryer that won’t heat and how to fix a dryer that wont spin.

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