When the lower element doesn’t work in a conventional oven there are five possibilities to think about: the voltage to the appliance, the bake element found in the base of the oven, the oven sensor, the fuses and the controller board. You can remove four of those possibilities with some simple troubleshooting steps and simple tools: a medium common screwdriver, a medium Phillips screwdriver, a multi-meter and a small bowl to include screws or straps. It’s also a fantastic idea to wear cotton gloves when handling the bake element as it could possibly be covered with rust and burned food.
Testing the Supply Voltage
The voltage to the appliance would be the simplest one to remove. A traditional oven operates from a 220-volt source. The 220-volt source is made up of 2 110-volt phases. If one of these periods is lost, just 110 volts will be powering the appliance. Clocks, readouts and lights may still work, however, the heating elements won’t produce heat. To remove this possibility assess the broiler element in the cap of the oven or a single burner. If the broiler element or single burner doesn’t reach normal high temperature you have a 220-volt supply issue. Check the two circuit breakers ganged together from the breaker box marked “Range or Oven” and try resetting the breakers. They will be 30- to 50-amp breakers. If this doesn’t correct the issue you must call a licensed electrician to diagnosis the 220-volt supply issue.
Checking the Bake Element
Prior to checking the bake element, ensure that the power is off by turning the 30- to 50-amp breakers labeled “Range” or “Oven” to the “off” position, then unplug the range from the wall receptacle. Often, you can reach the plug by removing the drawer below the oven compartment. The bake element is situated in the base of the oven. In older ovens, it is observable, but in certain newer ovens, it is below a removable cover. The bake element is usually fastened to the rear of the oven compartment using 2 screws. Remove the screws holding the element in position and gently pull on the element forward to expose the wires attached to each aspect of it. Remove the wires from the element and attached bag clips to stop the wires from dropping or dropping through the rear of the oven and to the insulation. When you have the element disconnected, it is possible to remove it for a visual inspection. Start looking for any excess corrosion, abrasions or cracks. Should you detect any significant flaws, replace the element. If it looks ordinary, assess the resistance on the Ohm scale using a multimeter. The element should measure about 15 to 45 ohms. If you measure more than 100 ohms, replace the element.
Checking the Oven Sensor
The oven sensor is a probe which measures real oven temperature and sends this info to the controller board. It is usually located toward the top of the rear of the oven. Follow the identical procedure as outlined to the bake element on the oven sensor, for example, removal procedure. The only difference between the bake element and oven sensor test will be the resistance value. The oven sensor resistance will vary with the ambient temperature. Use the multimeter to assess the resistance and be certain it is less than 5,000 ohms. Most oven sensors are at the 500- to 1,500-ohm range.
Fuse Inspection and Control Board Check
Many ovens no more use replaceable fuses. Check your manual to see whether there are any replaceable fuses in your own appliance. If there are, you can use the multimeter to check the fuse once it is removed. A fantastic fuse will read 0 to 3 ohms. If your appliance uses a fuse and it measures over 10 ohms, or is badly discolored, replace the fuse.The controller board — the last possibility — can only be examined with power on to the appliance It is therefore crucial to have a qualified person do this kind of testing. When you’ve reached this stage in the procedure you must call a certified appliance repair technician or a licensed electrician.
