Dryer Heaters - Dryer Not Heating - Dryer Heater Diagnostics

3387747 Whirlpool / Kenmore Dryer

How to check a dryer heater

Dryer heaters work by resisting the flow of electricity. This resistance to the flow of electrons creates friction and that generates heat. The dryer blower and air flow system forces the hot air through the clothes and out the vent. All dryer heaters must have a resistance to the flow of electricity. A wire (conductor) has little or no resistance therefore it does not get hot.

Dryer heaters are checked for resistance using an ohmmeter

Today ohmmeters are incorporated in multimeters. The meter sends out a small amount of electricity from its battery and measures how resistant the circuit is to the flow of electrons. The resistance to the flow of electricity is measured in Ohms. The higher the resistance a circuit has the higher its Ohm reading will be.