Testing Heating Elements for Bad Continuity – The Ultimate Guide

Is your water heater not heating properly? Do clothes take forever to dry? Having issues with oven baking results? One common cause for appliance heating failures is a faulty heating element. But how can you be sure the element is to blame? Testing it for continuity is the simplest way to diagnose problems.

As an appliance repair veteran with over 10 years of experience, I‘ve seen all kinds of heating element issues. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share everything you need to know as a homeowner to check for bad continuity in your electric heating elements.

Here‘s what we‘ll cover:

What is Continuity and Why It Matters

Continuity refers to an uninterrupted, complete electrical pathway in a circuit. When a circuit has good continuity, electricity can flow freely through it with little resistance.

For heating elements, good continuity ensures the element can heat up to the proper temperature to function as intended. No continuity means no heat!

Specifically, you want the resistance reading on a heating element to fall within an expected range. If the resistance is too high, the element won‘t get hot enough. If the resistance is too low, it may overheat or burn out prematurely.

Testing for continuity is the best way to determine if the element‘s resistance is correct or if it needs replacement.

Warning Signs of a Failing Heating Element

In my repair experience, these are the most common signs that a heating element could have continuity problems:

• Appliance won‘t reach the expected temperature
• Heating cycles take much longer than normal
• Burning smell coming from the appliance
• Element appears burnt, warped, or bent
• Frequent tripping of breakers or blown fuses
• Appliance stops heating completely

Any of these indicate a possible faulty heating element that requires further diagnosis. Testing the continuity with a multimeter will confirm if replacement is needed.

How to Use a Multimeter to Test Continuity

Checking continuity requires a digital multimeter capable of measuring electrical resistance in ohms. The older analog multimeters won‘t provide accurate enough readings for this.

Safety Tips

Always exercise caution when working around live electrical circuits:

• Turn off power at the breaker before accessing any components
• Allow ample time for the appliance to cool completely
• Use insulated tools and wear gloves/eye protection
• Take care not to touch exposed conductors

Continuity Testing Step-by-Step

Here is the basic process to check continuity on a heating element:

1. Turn off power to the appliance at the breaker and unplug it if possible.

2. Locate the heating element terminals – these are the two wires that connect to the element.

3. Disconnect the wires from the element terminals.

4. Set your multimeter to Continuity or Resistance mode (indicated by the Ω symbol).

5. Touch the multimeter probes to the heating element terminals.

6. Check the ohm reading on the multimeter display.

7. Compare the reading to the expected resistance range for that heating element type.

Interpreting the Readings

Here‘s what your multimeter continuity readings signify:

• Continuity: Very low resistance, often under 1 Ω. You may hear a beep tone.

• No Continuity: "OL" or "Overload" message. Infinite resistance indicates a break.

• Expected Resistance Range: Falls within the normal ohm reading for that heating element.

• Out of Range Resistance: Too high or low, signaling a defective element.

Readings outside the normal ranges mean it‘s time to replace the faulty heating element.

Resistance Ranges by Heating Element Type

Each type of heating element will have a defined ohm reading range when tested for continuity.

Here are the typical resistance ranges for common heating elements:

• Electric Oven Elements: 15 to 30 ohms

• Electric Dryer Elements: 8 to 15 ohms

• Electric Water Heater Elements: 12 to 25 ohms

Always check your appliance manufacturer specs for the exact resistance range expected. Readings outside those published specs means the element needs replacing.

For example, a 1500W 120V oven element should measure around 18 ohms. A reading over 30 ohms would indicate it‘s defective.

What To Do With a Failed Continuity Test

Don‘t panic if your heating element fails the continuity test. Here are some next steps to take:

• Double check your test setup and try testing again. Make sure the probes have solid contact with the terminals.

• Inspect the element closely for visible damage like scorch marks or melted insulation.

• Ensure wires are connected properly before turning power back on.

• If the element still fails testing, replacement is needed. Turn off power and contact an appliance repair technician.

• For water heater elements, flush the tank to remove any mineral deposits before installing the new element. Hard water residue can damage elements over time.

Replacing a faulty heating element is usually a straightforward repair. But getting the proper replacement part matched to your appliance‘s specifications is critical.

Signs of Physical Damage to Look For

In addition to checking continuity, also inspect the heating element visually for signs of wear and tear:

Electric oven heating elements:

• Brittle, cracked, or broken coils
• Dark spots or burnt areas on the coils
• Corrosion, pitting, or holes in the metal
• Uneven coil spacing from heat warping

Electric dryer heating elements:

• Brittle or sagging coils
• Discoloration or burning
• Melted or damaged coil insulation
• Warped or bent coil shape

Electric water heater elements:

• White mineral deposits on the element surface
• Rust-colored staining
• Green corrosion buildup
• Pitting, flaking, or perforations in the metal

Any of these visual cues for damage indicate the element should be replaced.

Safety Tips for Working With Heating Elements

Electrical repairs involve some safety risks. Keep these precautions in mind:

• Always disconnect power at the breaker before testing.
• Allow plenty of time for the appliance to cool fully before handling.
• Use insulated tools and wear gloves/eye protection.
• Take care not to touch exposed electrical contacts.
• Double check wires are securely reattached after testing.
• Never check continuity with the power turned on!

When in doubt, call in a professional technician to ensure your safety.

Can Continuity Be OK But the Element Still Defective?

In some cases, a malfunctioning heating element can still conduct electricity enough to register continuity, but yet be defective.

Some examples I‘ve encountered:

• A short circuit making resistance seem normal when tested

• Corrosion increasing resistance only slightly

• Damage allowing intermittent function

• Cracks in insulation causing arc faults

So even if an element passes a continuity check, consider replacing it if you‘re still experiencing loss of heating issues. The continuity test alone doesn‘t catch every failure mode. Thorough visual inspection is also a must.

What Typically Causes Heating Elements to Fail?

Based on many years of troubleshooting electrical appliances, these are the most common causes of premature heating element failure I‘ve seen:

• Normal wear and tear from years of use
• Mineral buildup from hard water
• Inadequate water levels leading to overheating
• Power surges or voltage spikes
• Loose or faulty wire connections
• Excess moisture leading to corrosion
• Physical damage from rough handling

With proper installation and maintenance, you can maximize the operating life of your heating elements. But eventually they‘ll require replacement in any application.

Here are some tips to help elements last longer:

• Clean elements regularly to prevent dirt/residue buildup
• Install water softeners if you have hard water
• Ensure elements remain fully submerged in water during operation
• Address any electrical shorts in the appliance right away
• Handle elements gently to avoid denting or warping

But even with the best care, heating elements gradually degrade over time. Expect to replace them approximately every 5-10 years in most electric appliances.

When is it Best to Call a Professional?

While DIY electrical repairs are fine for many basic tasks, it‘s wise to call in a professional appliance repair technician when:

• You don‘t feel totally comfortable working with 220V electrical circuits

• The appliance has multiple hidden elements requiring major disassembly

• You need access to tricky locations like behind a built-in oven

• The element insulation appears damaged or melted

• Problems persist after you‘ve already replaced the element

Hiring a qualified appliance repair pro to handle the electrical troubleshooting provides an extra level of safety and expertise. They have the proper tools and experience to get your appliance heating reliably again.

Key Takeaways on Testing Heating Elements

Here are the essential facts to remember about checking heating element continuity:

• Use a multimeter in Ohms mode to measure resistance

• Compare readings to the expected range for that element

• "OL" readings mean no continuity and a defective element

• Also inspect elements closely for visible damage

• Replace any element with out-of-spec resistance

• Always turn off power before testing

• Call a technician for help if needed

I hope this guide gives you greater confidence in evaluating your heating elements. Catching problems early by testing for continuity can help avoid costly appliance damage down the road.

Let me know if you have any other heating element questions! I‘m always happy to help appliance DIYers.