Dryer stopped working

Vertical · 05-29-2008, 08:32 PM

It uses a nema 10-30R (sample pic below).

I tested the receptacle voltages and got the following results:

W-X = 48v
W-Y = 123v
Y-X = 68 v

Does this point to the circuit breaker?

Suggested next steps?

Thx

-K

Vertical · 05-29-2008, 08:52 PM

some add'l info...

wire into the receptacle is 10-3 (10 guage; black, red, white).

dryer had been working for many years other than when I needed to replace the drum belt about 7-8 years ago.

thx

-K

jrclen · 05-29-2008, 08:58 PM

I assume you tried turning the circuit breaker off and then back on? Next, open the panel and very carefully measure voltage between the two poles of the circuit breaker that feeds the dryer. Black to red. With the dryer unplugged. You should read 240 volts or very close to that.

joed · 05-29-2008, 11:28 PM

If you are using a digital meter then you could have one side of the 240 volts out. The 68 volts could be a phantom voltage.
It could be a loose connection. The problem appears to be on the wire connected to the X terminal.
Check the voltage across the terminals at the breaker. Check the connection at the breaker and the receptacle.

Vertical · 05-31-2008, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrclen

I assume you tried turning the circuit breaker off and then back on? Next, open the panel and very carefully measure voltage between the two poles of the circuit breaker that feeds the dryer. Black to red. With the dryer unplugged. You should read 240 volts or very close to that.

OK, worked late yesterday...just tested the voltage across the red & black screw heads on the breaker. Strange reading:
started out at 239v, then 2 seconds later while I was holding the multimeter probes on the screw heads, the voltage started fluctuating and then settled in at 68v (the same as across the Y-X positions on the receptacle).

I remeasured a couple times and once it started at 240 then a few secs went to 68v; 2nd time it just stayed at 68v. Then I measured red to neutral bar (122v) and black to neutral bar (48v).

thoughts?

thx

-K

rjniles · 05-31-2008, 09:13 AM

Either the breaker is bad or is making a poor connections with the buss
bar(s) in the panel. If this is a plug in breaker, remove and reinstall. If this is a bolt in or screw in type, turn off main and tighten connections. Retest. If still bad, replace breaker.

jrclen · 05-31-2008, 10:32 AM

I agree with rjniles. Reseating the breaker or tightening the connection with the bus and the wires might fix it. Otherwise replace the breaker.

joed · 05-31-2008, 10:49 AM

Are you having any other strange issue within the house? The problem could be with the main breaker or even with the POCO connections.

micromind · 05-31-2008, 12:02 PM

What brand of panel is it? About what age?

You'll need to look at the point where the breaker attaches to the bus carefully. If the bus side of the breaker is burned up, (I suspect it is) the bus extension is likely bad as well.

Rob

Vertical · 06-10-2008, 10:54 AM

thx for all the input folks!

I was away for a week and got back to it this past weekend.

Breaker was bad. I popped it out and the springs were broken on one of the 2 spring-loaded connectors that press over the buss. Neither Home Depot or Lowes had a replacement unit. So, I went to a large electrical supply store this morning. They had it in stock. It's in and dryer works again.

My wife's happy (& I'm now happy)

-K