Proper Operation
Learn how your appliance is supposed to operate so you can determine if it is malfunctioning.


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Power Outlet

Dryer outlet

There are two 120 volt circuits that come into your dryer from the big dryer outlet on the wall. Together those two 120 volts circuits make up the 240 volts the element operates on. Look closely at the outlet after you remove your dryer plug (See Figure). Any signs of arcing or melting indicates a problem with the outlet and/or the dryer cord.

The neutral lug in the figure is the L-shaped part of the outlet. A measurement of 120 volts between either angled hole to the L-shaped hole and 240 volts between the two angled flat holes should be present. The dryer element connects across the 240 volt circuit. If a serious overload occurs in the heater circuit, both sides of the dryer circuit can fail and nothing in the dryer will operate.

To check for this situation, measure the voltage between each angled or flat blade hole in the outlet to the L-shaped hole using a voltmeter set for at least 250 volts alternating current (AC). If you get no voltage reading across any combination of the three holes in the outlet, both circuits are down and the fuses/breakers and wiring to the outlet will need to be investigated.

Circuit Board

Go out to the breaker box and locate the breakers for the dryer. Switch them both to off and back to on. If this doesn't restore all of the voltages, you will have to replace the breakers for the dryer. Buy 30-ampere breakers for your dryer. Hire an electrician to install them if you are uncomfortable messing around in your breaker box. It's a very dangerous place to be if you don't know what you are doing.