Dgl for Model Number MDB8750A My question about the heater element is this. If the black coating has a very slight nick in it to expose the very outer part of the metal element tube, will that cause a shorting issue? My understanding that these types of elements are made with a nickel-chrome coil that is encapsulated in a ceramic material. And then that is inserted into a metal tubing. So if I measure the impedance from the exposed tubing to either element electrical contact, will I see a low impedance or is the internal coil isolated from the metal tubing? Thanks.
Answer Hi DGL. The heating element for your model # MDB8750a... is part # W10283681. When you use ohm meter beep scale (which measures 50-ohms and under) And put one lead to the terminal and the other to the element mount metal or the outer sheathing. If you instantly get a beep then it designates the element is shorted. Using the ohm scale the normal ohms reading is 22- ohms +/- 10% . If it is out of this range replace it. Impedance is a different term and generally does not apply here. And no, in case of a short the element may initially draw excessive amps and open the thermostat wired in series before the heating element for safety reasons. Look at the supply wiring in the junction box. If it is not polarity correct then it may cause a issue of staying on. NOTE = Make sure the black wire (L-1) and the white wire (neutral) are hooked to the same machine lead wires and not reversed. Also make sure the house wiring to the units polarity is correct. If so it will not be thermally protected but is still agency compliant. Thank You. Read More... Answered by AppliancePartsPros.com | Friday, June 15, 2012