Checking the heating element of the dishwasher

Heating element for dishwasher Indesit If after a full dishwasher cycle the dishes remain dirty, then there is a chance that the water heating element has broken. In this case, it is necessary to check the heating element of the dishwasher as quickly as possible, because it is the heating element that most often breaks down in washing equipment. How to check the machine yourself and what to do after?

Testing the thermistor and heating element

In addition to the water heating element, the temperature sensor may also fail, so it is always worth checking both parts at once. You can test a temperature sensor not only with the help of sophisticated professional equipment, but also with a simple inspection. Check all contacts and wires - if they are burnt or melted, then this is the problem. If there is no visual damage, then you need to disassemble the dishwasher.

To check the functionality of the heating element and temperature sensor, you will need a special tool - a multimeter. This is an incredibly useful device that should be in any man's toolbox. Using this measuring equipment, you can check the integrity of radio components, find out the voltage in sockets and test the performance of the heating element and temperature sensor. In addition, the multimeter combines several necessary tools at once: a voltmeter, an ohmmeter and an ammeter. Let's start testing.

Let's start by checking the heating element, for which the multimeter must be switched to ohmmeter mode. First, calculate the resistance of the heating element; this can be done by dividing the figure 48400 by the power of the water heating element. Let's say the power of the element is 2.5 kW, then the resistance of the heating element will be 19.36 Ohms.

The rated power and other important indicators of the dishwasher can be found in the instructions, so never throw away this document.

Now it is important to completely disconnect the device from the network, get to the heating element, disconnect the wires and touch the leads of the heating element with the multimeter probes. If the tester produces a value very close to the received one, and in our case it is 19.36 Ohms, then everything is in order with the part. If the value is 0, 1 or infinite, then the part is broken and needs to be replaced.
Now set the tester to buzzer mode, because we will check the heating element for current leakage. Place one probe on the power contact, the other on the housing or ground terminal. If the device is silent, then everything is fine, but if there is a breakdown on the body, the tester will beep.
To check the insulation resistance, you need to activate the megohmmeter mode, set the device to the limit of 500, hook the crocodile onto the dishwasher body, and install the probe on one of the contacts of the heating element. A normal value is 2 MΩ or more.
It's time to check the thermistor, which is usually used in new dishwashers as a temperature sensor. The resistance of this element directly depends on temperature. Prepare a small pan of boiling water, switch the multimeter to ohmmeter mode, connect to the contacts of the temperature sensor and check the resistance. After the test, place a thermistor in the pan - if the resistance has seriously changed upward, then everything is in order.

Modern heating elements often fail due to burnout of the spiral and breakdown of the internal insulation. In this case, the dishwasher will begin to shock painfully, which is an additional signal that it is time to change the heating element.

It is recommended to add regeneration salt in each washing cycle so that the water heating element does not become covered with scale and lasts longer.

If you have an Electrolux, Whirlpool, Bosch, Beko, Indesit, Znussi or Hansa dishwasher at home, then if it stops heating the water, you will have to replace the entire heating unit. This is due to the fact that in machines from these companies it is impossible to change one tubular heater separately from the block. In this case, replacement will cost much more than replacing one heating element.

How much does a new heating element cost?

You can save on replacing a water heating element and install it yourself, but you won’t be able to save on buying a new element. PMM brands Bosch and Siemens are known for the fact that the heating element is built directly into the circulation pump, so the entire expensive part has to be replaced. heating element for dishwasher

If you wish, you can have the heating element repaired, which will cost about $30, but there will be no guarantees for the work. If it is impossible to buy a separate heating element or repair an old one, then the manufacturer recommends buying a new circulation pump with a built-in heating element. A similar part will cost at least $65 if you successfully get a discount and own a not-so-expensive dishwasher model. If you are unlucky with a brand or a discount, then the family budget will be poorer by about $100.

In addition to the cost of the part, you should remember about the work of the technician, who can charge an additional $30 to $50 for installation.

Thus, it becomes clear why many families are in no hurry to repair an old dishwasher, but simply return the device for parts and buy a new one. Considering current prices for budget dishwashers, replacing with a new device will cost the same as repairing a broken machine.