How to replace a terminal block on an electric range

Is your electric range refusing to heat up or power on, leaving you stuck with half-cooked meals? Before you reach for the phone to call an expensive repair technician, learn how to easily replace the terminal block yourself with our step-by-step guide. Plus, don’t miss our how-to video just below that will walk you through the entire process!

What is a terminal block?

The terminal block is the part of your electric range or oven that connects the power cord to the appliance’s internal wiring. It’s a safe, non-exposed way of connecting household current to the range circuit board and individual heating elements and controls.

You can usually find the terminal block behind a removable access panel at the back of the range.

It’s often covered by a removable plate and has screws that secure the copper wires.

When to replace the terminal block

Over time, the terminal block can become loose or corroded. This prevents good power flow to your oven or burners, which can cause other issues.

You might also need to replace the terminal block if

• Burners aren’t heating
• The oven isn’t heating completely or at all
• There’s electrical arcing or buzzing coming from the back of the range
• The range is powering itself off during use

How to replace the terminal block

What you need

• Phillips head screwdriver: For removing terminal block cover panel screws
• Flathead screwdriver: For prying off the cover, if needed
• Needle nose pliers: For pulling/manipulating wires
• Gloves: To protect your hands from sharp edges
• Replacement terminal block: Check your model number for the correct part

Optional but other helpful items include:

• Camera or smartphone: To take photos of wire connections for reference
• Wire cutters/strippers: For cutting/stripping any wires
• Safety goggles: For eye protection

Keep safety first

Replacing a terminal block involves working with potentially dangerous electrical connections, so you need to take proper precautions to avoid electrical shocks, which can cause serious injuries.

• Shut off the circuit breaker or unplug the electric range before starting any repair
• Please proceed carefully, since there may be some live wires after you remove the terminal block cover

Read More: Range Burner Receptacle Replacement

Step-by-step instructions

Follow these steps to safely remove your range’s old terminal block and install a new replacement:

1. Make sure the power is off

1. Double-check that the power to your electric range is switched OFF before starting any work!
2. Locate the range circuit breaker box and switch it off. Unplug the range power cord for extra safety.

2. Remove the access panel

1. Use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove any screws holding the rear access panel in place (usually at the back bottom area of the range).
2. Carefully pry off the panel with a flathead screwdriver.
3. Set the panel aside in a safe place.

3. Disconnect the power cord and wires

Whoa there! Before you start disconnecting, take pictures of the wiring and connections so you know where everything goes.

1. Find the power cord attachment point on the terminal block.
2. Use a screwdriver and pliers to carefully loosen the two or three screws/nuts holding the cord wires in place on the contacts.
3. Detach the hot power wires from the terminal block.
4. Disconnect any other wires or wire harnesses plugged into the old terminal block. You may need to unscrew them or press the release clips.
5. Refer to your range’s manual if you’re unsure about specific wire connections.

4. Remove the mounting screws

The terminal block should now be loose inside the access compartment.

1. Remove any mounting screws holding it onto the range’s body using your screwdriver.
2. Lift off the old faulty terminal block and set it aside.

5. Inspect wires and terminals

Before installing the new replacement terminal block, take a moment to inspect the wiring so you can make other replacements as needed.

1. Look for any loose, burnt, or damaged wires and terminals.
2. Clean any corrosion off the wire contact points with fine sandpaper or an electrical contact cleaner.
3. Ensure exposed wire leads are stripped to 5/8 inch. Re-strip them if necessary.

6. Install the new terminal block

1. Insert the new block into the opening and align the mounting brackets.
2. Replace the screws to secure it in place.
3. Reconnect all the wiring.
4. Attach the power cord hot wires to their contact points. Tighten the screws securely, but don’t overtighten them.
5. Reconnect any other wires and wire harnesses that were removed earlier. Make sure connections are tight.
6. Attach the ground wire and secure it with the grounding screw.
7. Refer to your range manual and original photos to ensure the wires go to the correct terminals.

7. Reattach the access panel

Reattach the rear access panel with its original screws. Make sure it sits flush and is properly secured.

8. Restore power

Plug the power cord back in or switch the circuit breaker back on.

9. Test operation

1. Press the oven and burner controls to turn them on. Make sure they heat up as expected.
2. Check that the oven maintains the proper temperature.
3. Inspect the back of the range for any sparking or electrical issues.

If you encounter any problems, double-check that all wires are connected securely to the new terminal block.

Read More: Oven Tips for Cooking a Holiday Turkey, Ham & More

How to maintain the terminal block

• Keep the access panel and connections clean of dust buildup
• Periodically check the wires for fraying or loose contacts
• Avoid overloading circuits that supply power to the range

Read More: Electric Range Heating Coil Cleaning & Upkeep

Additional information

After following these steps, your electric range should be back to full operational capacity with proper power flow restored.

If you still need a replacement terminal block assembly, head over to AppliancePartsPros.com and use your range model number to search for the correct part. You can also check out our DIY blog for more guides on DIY fixes for dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, and more.

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