replacing a vintage infinite burner switch

[kennyt123]

I've noticed that vintage burners go from "off" and then high on the dial versus the present "off" Lo, med lo, etc.) If you need to replace a vintage infinite burner switch which replacement will match. Is there anything specific to look out for when sorting through the old parts bin. The voltage is 240volts. I remember a discussion that the justification was to get the burner hot fast and then reduce the heat.

 

[panthera]

One thing which does crop up

from time to time:

Some (but not all) 1950's infinite switches have the pilot light tapped to L₁. Others, to <span style="font-size: 12pt;">L</span><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">2</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">. This, obviously, can lead to unpleasantness.</span>

 

I encountered this one a little over a decade ago when we were rewiring our 1953/4 Westinghouse Rainbow stove and had to replace an infinite switch (the Super Corox, of course, what else?). 

 

Always do continuity tests to be sure. 'Cause, if it's Westinghouse you can not be sure.

 

Otherwise, infinite controls are grouped in power ranges - some have '1500' Watts stamped on them or '2000/2500' or such information. Others, you have to look it up in the catalog. If you get it wrong, the heat anticipation will be off.