I don't quite understand how to tell what is wrong with my dryer. I have checked the breaker and it still won't get hot. What should I do next?

Its probley your heating element needs to be replaced

Hello BRudy

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HEATING PROBLEMS
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You have to do a little research here yourself .

General test procedure :

Are both the heater and the motor not working? If so check if :
- the circuit breaker is perhaps thrown.
- there is 240 volts AC at the wall socket (use a multimeter on AC 250 or 400 Volt setting, or test with a lamp and cord!)
- perhaps the wires of the power cord are burned or broken where they are attached to the dryer.

Make sure you NOW FIRST disconnect the power cable from the wall socket , and put it on the ground in front of you.
Remove the top and/or rear panel and have a look as to what is going on inside.

Check thermostat(s), fuse(s) and the thermal cut-off'(s) in the dryer. Use a multimeter (Ohm function) to test for continuity.
To test the heater element you have to measure it's resistance (in Ohms). First make a small drawing of the existing wiring. Than remove the wiring, and measure. It should be approx. 15-25 Ohm.

Info on heating power arrangement :
The heater element is normally one single unit that has 2 connections.
One is neutral, the other is hot.
There are two ways of powering : Full power and regulated power. Both are protected against overheating by a thermal cut-out switch.
Half power is either obtained by thermostat cycling of the power, or by time switching via a relay.

Now the more dangerous part of testing : measuring voltages on a "life" machine!
Start by switching the multi meter to AC high voltage NOW. Reconnect the heater element and anything else that was temporally disconnected,

From here you have to work very carefully :

ALWAYS HAVE SOMEBODY AROUND WHO CAN PULL THE POWER CORD FROM THE SOCKET : IT CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE !!! Instruct the person what to do : NOT to touch or pull you, but to pull the power cord from the socket in case of problems. Once the power is disconnected they can help you.

Plug in the power cord. Close the door (empty drum) and switch the dryer to full power and start the machine.

Is the drum rotating properly? Is the fan blowing air in one continuous flow?
Measure the voltage over the heater element : is it Voltage stable or cycling?
If the voltage is cycling, is the frequency stable?
What is the speed of switching in seconds? Test 2 minutes to make sure. Note down the results, or call the switching to your assistant and let him/her note down the passed seconds.

Repeat the measurement, but now with the heat setting on half power.
Note down the results once again.

Come back to the board and discuss your findings here !
If necessary contact me by private mail (click on my handle and follow instructions) to draw my attention. I will than reply here again.
If this helps solving your problem, than please rate this reply.

Success !

:)

Note : ALWAYS clean the air filter from lint before running any drying cycle.
Lint can cause unnecessary heating up (hesting element to burn out), fire, equipment failure, and it cost money for extra electricity use.
It also may cause your thermostat to cut out.

:)