Dryers play a vital role in helping us do our laundry and domestics without using outside sources like the sun.
But, unfortunately, things can go wrong; the most common problem with dryers is the thermal fuse.
Surprisingly, a short power outage can cause your thermal fuse to blow- this usually occurs when the electricity comes back on.
Due to cases like blown thermal fuses, most homeowners are generally curious about bypassing thermal fuses.
They often want to know if they can Bye-pass the thermal fuse on their dryers.
You can bypass a thermal fuse on your dryer; however, it is something that I don’t advise. You’ll only be putting your dryer at a high risk of devastating damages like fire outbreaks, which could further affect your entire home. If you have a blown thermal fuse, replace it as soon as possible!
Are Thermal Fuses Necessary?
Like fuses assist in the smooth operation of electronics and electrical systems, thermal fuses are safety devices that identify heat rise from overcurrent or surge within an electric system.
They are so necessary. Thermal fuses prevent excess heating by opening up circuits when unfavorable events occur. Essentially, devices that produce heat need thermal fuses.
Thermal fuses are so significant in appliances like dryers and coffee makers where a mere malfunction could cause the internal temperature to increase rapidly.
Thermal fuses ensure that these appliances do not overheat. In addition, thermal fuses automatically fuse to disrupt the power supply and prevent fire outbreaks from electrical appliances.
This automatic readjustment occurs when devices exceed their usual temperatures. Their thermal fuses will fuse and separate the power circuits.
Not to forget, thermal fuses function by melting away or breaking apart when they reach a particular temperature. They cause circuits to open and the power source to shut off.
You can find this fuse in a circuit breaker box and installed in a line that supplies electricity to a machine.
Thermal fuses are very important. Once they register a slight over-temperature condition, which could cause fire or breakdown, they cut the power off. They also help to prevent fires that are a result of arc faults.
Arch faults usually occur when current jumps from one point to another in an electrical conductor. When there’s too much electricity going through one wire, it has the potential to jump to another wire nearby and create a fire hazard.
Can You Replace A Thermal Fuse With A Regular Fuse?
You can replace a thermal fuse with a regular fuse though it will have no good effect regarding the safety scientists have designed thermal fuses to supply.
A standard fuse opens circuits for protection against over current. Whereas in a heating appliance, a thermal fuse will open the circuits when the temperature limit is exceeded even if the current is normal.
In addition, thermal fuses are pretty different from regular fuses because you cannot reset them. They are designed to go off when a wire has heated up too much and then stay out until repairs are made.
However, I would not advise you to replace your thermal fuse with a regular one. Merely got a new one.
A thermal fuse takes the form of a metal strip that melts and breaks the circuit when it reaches a specific temperature; this prevents fires from starting in the circuit.
Electrical engineers have designed thermal fuses to melt at their melting point, usually about 220 degrees Fahrenheit or 100 degrees Celsius.
After melting, it will open the circuit and stop power from flowing through it by breaking the connection between the two wires under the terminals.
A thermal fuse will only reset if it has cooled down below its melting point for 30 minutes. But once it’s back at its melting point, it will again break the circuit and interrupt power flow again.
This fact means that if you have a problem with your home wiring system and you replace your thermal fuse using regular fuses, you’ll need to wait for 30 minutes before you can use your circuit again without risking an electrical fire.
There are several different signs that you should replace your thermal fuse. These signs include a blown or open fuse, excessive heat or sparks from the circuit breaker, and damaged insulation on wiring.
So, if any of these signs are present, it’s time to replace your thermal fuse. If not, continue to monitor the situation.
How To Bypass Thermal Fuse On Dryer?
Bypassing a thermal fuse on a dryer can be so easy. All you need to do is, disconnect the dryer from the mains and look for the right panel.
After finding the right panel, check for the thermal fuse there and bypass it. The thermal fuse looks like a metal strip.
#1. Disconnect the dryer from the mains and find the right panel.
I strongly advise that you disconnect any power connected to your dryer, as it is a secure way to begin.
Use your manual booklet since various brands and dryers have unique thermal fuse locations. It’ll guide you to the exact place where you’ll find the thermal fuse.
As a rule, most brands place their thermal fuses behind the bottom kick panel or rare dryer panel. When you find the kick panel, eliminate it by popping it off with a screwdriver (flathead).
Better still, you can merely remove the kick panel by releasing the metal clips supporting it. Note that this process may vary from your model, so use any suitable methodology to get rid of your kick panel.
On a similar note eliminating the rare panel if applicable in your situation is no deal. Merely remove the corner screws securing it.
#2. Overcome the thermal fuse
After you must have located the thermal fuse, bypass it. To overcome it, tape the two ends together with electrical tape. That done, you’ve overcome the thermal fuse on your dryer.
You just saw how I walked you through every necessary process of bypassing the thermal fuse on your dryer. Easier than you thought, right?
Just keep in mind that, should in case the dryer start to operate warm after you’ve bypassed the fuse, the fuse was faulty. So you need to replace it!
What Happens If You Bypass The Thermal Fuse On A Dryer?
I believe there are no upsides to bypassing the thermal fuse on your dryer. When you avoid a thermal fuse on your dryer, you automatically lose one layer of security.
Overcoming thermal fuses on dryers increases the risk of fire, especially if the device malfunctions or you utilize the device incorrectly.
A thermal fuse prevents malfunctioning appliances from catching fire and burning down a building. Bypassing the thermal fuse on your dryer will remove this protection.
Trust you wouldn’t want to burn down your house, right? Then use a thermal fuse. Get one on Amazon.
Conclusion
A thermal fuse is a safety circuit breaker that protects electrical equipment like dryers. It protects electrical equipment by automatically cutting power when its temperature exceeds safe levels.
So, thermal fuses are necessary if you don’t want your dryer and house to catch fire. They are your backup safety. However, most homeowners are often tempted to use regular fuses instead of thermal fuses in modern homes.
Nonetheless, it is always better to never use a regular fuse instead of a thermal fuse; standard fuses don’t detect overheating in appliances like dryers.
So, if you experience problems with your devices, it may be time to replace your thermal fuse with a new one.
Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuse
https://en.wikipedia.org/Heating appliances
