I have an old Kenmore dryer. Lately, one of the wires that connects to the
high temperature sensor on the side of the heating coils has been burning up
at the point of contact (the wire burns, but the connector stays OK). The
happened once a couple years ago and I replaced the sensor and the heating
element. Now it's happening again, every few days (I'll admit it - I just
reconnect the wire each time for now). I tested the sensor, and it seems to
be working OK (frying pan test for conductivity). Any suggestions about
fixing this more permanently?

Thanks,

Bruce Kimball

On Jan 15, 3:10*pm, "beekay" wrote:
I have an old Kenmore dryer. Lately, one of the wires that connects to the
high temperature sensor on the side of the heating coils has been burning up
at the point of contact (the wire burns, but the connector stays OK). The
happened once a couple years ago and I replaced the sensor and the heating
element. Now it's happening again, every few days (I'll admit it - I just
reconnect the wire each time for now). I tested the sensor, and it seems to
be working OK (frying pan test for conductivity). Any suggestions about
fixing this more permanently?

Indicates the connection is high resistance -- clean/replace and make
sure crimp(s) are also clean and tight.

--

On Jan 15, 4:50�pm, dpb wrote:
On Jan 15, 3:10�pm, "beekay" wrote:

I have an old Kenmore dryer. Lately, one of the wires that connects to the
high temperature sensor on the side of the heating coils has been burning up
at the point of contact (the wire burns, but the connector stays OK). The
happened once a couple years ago and I replaced the sensor and the heating
element. Now it's happening again, every few days (I'll admit it - I just
reconnect the wire each time for now). I tested the sensor, and it seems to
be working OK (frying pan test for conductivity). Any suggestions about
fixing this more permanently?

Indicates the connection is high resistance -- clean/replace and make
sure crimp(s) are also clean and tight.

--
replace the sensor and the wires and crimp terminals to that sensor,
go baCK AT LEAST A FEW INCHES.

The machines I service for a living use heating elements and draw
high current.

once a wire or connector looks toasted it needs REPLACED

On Jan 15, 3:50*pm, dpb wrote:
On Jan 15, 3:10*pm, "beekay" wrote:

I have an old Kenmore dryer. Lately, one of the wires that connects to the
high temperature sensor on the side of the heating coils has been burning up
at the point of contact (the wire burns, but the connector stays OK). The
happened once a couple years ago and I replaced the sensor and the heating
element. Now it's happening again, every few days (I'll admit it - I just
reconnect the wire each time for now). I tested the sensor, and it seems to
be working OK (frying pan test for conductivity). Any suggestions about
fixing this more permanently?

Indicates the connection is high resistance -- clean/replace and make
sure crimp(s) are also clean and tight.

OBTW, be sure any replacement wire is high-temperature rated appliance
wire.

--

"beekay" wrote in message
netamerica...
I have an old Kenmore dryer. Lately, one of the wires that connects to the
high temperature sensor on the side of the heating coils has been burning
up at the point of contact (the wire burns, but the connector stays OK).
The happened once a couple years ago and I replaced the sensor and the
heating element. Now it's happening again, every few days (I'll admit it -
I just reconnect the wire each time for now). I tested the sensor, and it
seems to be working OK (frying pan test for conductivity). Any suggestions
about fixing this more permanently?

Thanks,

Bruce Kimball

When wire overheats, the metal becomes annealed and looses it's conductive
properties. To prevent it from repeating, cut the wire back to a point of
clean metal, then reconnect it.

Everybody, thanks! Looks like I need to do a better job repairing/replacing
the wire.


"beekay" wrote in message
netamerica...
I have an old Kenmore dryer. Lately, one of the wires that connects to the
high temperature sensor on the side of the heating coils has been burning
up at the point of contact (the wire burns, but the connector stays OK).
The happened once a couple years ago and I replaced the sensor and the
heating element. Now it's happening again, every few days (I'll admit it -
I just reconnect the wire each time for now). I tested the sensor, and it
seems to be working OK (frying pan test for conductivity). Any suggestions
about fixing this more permanently?

Thanks,

Bruce Kimball




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On Jan 15, 4:39*pm, "RBM" wrote:
....
When wire overheats, the metal becomes annealed and looses it's conductive
properties. To prevent it from repeating, cut the wire back to a point of
clean metal, then reconnect it.
....

I wouldn't expect any significant annealing to occur until
temperatures are 400-500 K (800 F or so), which wouldn't expect to
have been reached although suppose it might be possible.

There is about a 1-2%/ deg-C decrease in conductivity w/ temperature,
while the wire is heated, but that is reversible.

I'd expect it the problem more likely to be surface oxidation or loose
connections rather than actual metallurgical effects.

Never hurts to replace, however...

--

"dpb" wrote in message
...
On Jan 15, 4:39 pm, "RBM" wrote:
....
When wire overheats, the metal becomes annealed and looses it's conductive
properties. To prevent it from repeating, cut the wire back to a point of
clean metal, then reconnect it.
....

I wouldn't expect any significant annealing to occur until
temperatures are 400-500 K (800 F or so), which wouldn't expect to
have been reached although suppose it might be possible.

There is about a 1-2%/ deg-C decrease in conductivity w/ temperature,
while the wire is heated, but that is reversible.

I'd expect it the problem more likely to be surface oxidation or loose
connections rather than actual metallurgical effects.

Never hurts to replace, however...

--
From my experience working on commercial cooking equipment, poor connections
cause the overheating and annealing

On Jan 15, 9:21*pm, "RBM" wrote:
"dpb" wrote in message
....
I wouldn't expect any significant annealing to occur until
temperatures are 400-500 K (800 F or so), which wouldn't expect to
have been reached although suppose it might be possible.

There is about a 1-2%/ deg-C decrease in conductivity w/ temperature,
while the wire is heated, but that is reversible.

I'd expect it the problem more likely to be surface oxidation or loose
connections rather than actual metallurgical effects.

Never hurts to replace, however...

--
From my experience working on commercial cooking equipment, poor connections
cause the overheating and annealing

I don't disagree at all about the poor connections; but I tend to
think annealing isn't likely that much of an issue owing to the
temperatures required.

I came back to correct my earlier posting in that 400-500K is actually
1200-1400F (knew that didn't seem right; dawned on me I only converted
from C not K). I would think if these temperatures were reached the
results would be fires not just overheating a connection.

--