The difference between thermal fuse and thermostat

heating element or thermal fuse.

heater units have 2 or 3 starts ,check they work ..on some hotpoint dryers there is a stat on the front top right just under the timer as wire burns out then no heat ..WARNING TAKE OUT THE PLUG

Hello Mary
Thermal fuse is a heat-sensitive safety feature that shuts down system when overheating is detected.
In electrical wiring, the thermal fuse reacts to high temperature caused by too many amps on the electric circuit. When temperature exceeds the fuse amp rating, then the fuse trips and cuts power to electric circuit.
Example of thermal fuse is a household circuit breaker.
Gas water heaters have a different type of thermal fuse located in the combustion chamber or on the combustion chamber door, and also inside a copper probe inside water tank. Water heater thermal fuses will trip when water temperature exceeds fuse rating, or when heat inside the combustion chamber exceeds temperature rating of fuse. This action will cut off gas supply to water heater.
So a thermal fuse is a safety feature.

Thermostat is not a safety feature.
Thermostat is a measuring tool.
Thermostats measure temperature.
Example of thermostat is outdoor thermometer, or cooking thermometer, or Heat-AC control located on wall inside house.
Thermostats can give a simple temperature reading, or they can cause a separate control to turn on-off depending on application.
For example thermostat on Heat-AC will read room temperature, and when temperature exceeds setting, this triggers a switch that turns Heat-AC on-off.

Many appliances have both thermal safety fuse and thermostat.
Take for example a gas water heater. A copper tube extends into the water tank. Inside the copper tube are 2 things: A thermostat probe to measure water temperature, and a thermal fuse called an ECO for energy cut off. The ECO is a thermal fuse, and is a safety feature.
http://waterheatertimer.org/images/Gas-valve-ECO2-358.jpg
The thermostat reads temperature of water, and turns water heater on-off to keep water hot. A person can adjust water temperature by adjusting the thermostat dial on front of water heater.
However if the thermostat fails, or some other problem occurs, and water inside the tank gets hotter than 180 degrees, then the ECO or thermal fuse will trip. When the thermal fuse trips, this turns off gas to the water heater so water cannot get any hotter. The safety device prevents water heater explosion. The water heater must be repaired since this particular thermal fuse cannot be re-used afterwards, and must be replaced.

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

The cycling thermostat must also be replaced when replacing the thermal fuse. The cycling thermostat's failure to cycle off the heating element results in overheating of the dryer which consequently blows the thermal fuse open.




Replacing only the thermal fuse should the dryer stops running and fails to start will result in its premature blowing or even the thermal cut-out (cut-off) located on the heater duct. Like the cycling thermostat, the high-limit thermostat must also be replaced once the thermal cut-out blows open. Refer to the parts diagram in the link below and look for item numbers 31(thermal cut-off), 34(hi-limit thermostat), 39(thermal fuse), and 41(cycling thermostat.

Kenmore Series 70 Electric Dryer (110.74722400) Bulkhead Parts

Check the bias thermostat on the blower wheel housing, thermal fuse, high limit thermostat, and heating element on the back of the machine for continuity with a multimeter. Replace any of the mentioned parts with new one form the parts list below. Below is a video to show you how to check for continuity. The dryer is a little different, but the principles are the same.

Bias Thermostat Thermal Fuse High Limit Thermostat Heating Element

I would recommend you begin by checking the THERMAL FUSE. The fuse is located on the air blower assembly and is a small plastic looking component with two wires attached. Make sure you UNPLUG the dryer before servicing and make sure you take any resistance readings with the component removed from the circuit. You can isolate it by simply unplugging the wires to it. A good reading will be something close to zero ohms.

The following link can give you some added advice on how to troubleshoot a dryer:

http://www.fixya.com/support/r3574266-thorough_dryer_advice


If you do find the thermal fuse blown, it generally blows for a reason. This is usally attributed to something coming in contact with the fuse wires (like loose change from your pockets), or a dryer that has an obstructed exhaust vent. Inspect the interior cabinet and air blower fan for accumulations of dirt or lint, followed by an inspection of the dryer vent from where it leaves the back of the dryer, to where it exits your home. If the dryer exhaust vent is kinked or clogged, the dryer heating circuits will overheat to the point of failure. Failure to provide good air flow for the dryer will results in repeated component failures and can become a fire hazard.

If you have questions, please post back with your MODEL NUMBER (located on a nameplate around the door opening on Kenmore) and let me know. I hope you find this information helpful.

A blown thermal fuse is an indication of a failed operating (cycling) thermostat. The thermal fuse and the operating thermostat are located on the blower outlet duct to regulate the temperature of the air inside the dryer by monitoring the temperature of the air going out. The cycling thermostat cycles off when the air gets too hot and cycles on when it gets colder than normal. Therefore when it fails to cycle off, the temperature gets too hot and when it reaches the temperature limit of the thermal fuse, the thermal fuse blows.

hello there there are 5 different things that can majke your dryer not heat up please review these 5 things that i have provided

nvestigate these five areas if your dryer is not heating up:
Proper Voltage

If your dryer won't heat up, it's possible that it is not beingsupplied with the proper voltage. Here are three ways to make surepower is getting to your dryer: First, make sure your dryer is pluggedin. Next, check the circuit breaker panel to make sure all the circuitbreakers are in the correct positions. Finally, check to make sure nofuses in your fuse panel are blown. Any of these could explain whypower is not getting to your dryer.

Heating Element

It is possible that your dryer isn't heating because its heatingelement is defective. Heating elements are irrepairable. If yours hasceased to function properly, you will have to replace it. Open yourdryer's cabinet and locate the heating element so that you can test it.

• How to open a dryer cabinet.
• How to test a dryer's heating element.
• How to replace a dryer heating element.



• Find a heating element for your clothes dryer.

Thermal Fuse

Another possible cause for a dryer not heating up could be attributedto a faulty thermal fuse. Once a dryer's thermal fuse has blown, it isno longer of any use. If your dryer's fuse is blown, you will have toreplace it. Open up your dryer's cabinet and locate its thermal fuse sothat you can test it.

• How to open a dryer cabinet.
• How to test a dryer's thermal fuse.
• How to replace a dryer's thermal fuse.



• Find a thermal fuse for your clothes dryer.

Thermostat

If any of your dryer's thermostats have become defective, they could bethe reason that your dryer is not heating. Open up your dryer's cabinetand test each of your dryer's thermostats. If any are faulty, replacethem.

• How to open a dryer cabinet.
• How to test a dryer thermostat.
• How to replace a dryer thermostat.



• Find a thermostat for your clothes dryer.

Timer motor

A defective timer motor could also cause your dryer to not heat up.Test your dryer's timer motor. If it is no longer functioning as itshould, replace either the entire motor assembly, or just its motor.

• How to test a dryer timer motor.
• How to replace a dryer timer.



• Find a timer for your clothes dryer.

Last week your cycling thermostat went bad. This week you thermal fuse went out. This is how it happened.
You dryer cycles on a thermostat. When it goes out the dryer then cycles on the (high limit) thermal fuse. When it goes out. The dryer stops heating. You will find both after you remove the back of the dryer. They are easy to replace. There are two different thermal fuses but if you order the parts using the model number you will have no problem. These two parts are sold in a kit.
Please rate this solution.

the thermal cut off is what cycles the heater,the thermal fuse is the fuse that pop if the heater get to hot,back in the day they never had thermal fuses to begin with,hope this helps-mike