Speed Queen electric dryer - fried wire

[dzr]

So, my 6 year old Speed Queen electric dryer blew a circuit breaker and stopped heating. The repair person showed me a nicely burned wire. He replaced it and it's fine now.

What would cause that? Is there room for concern? The roller was replaced about a month ago. They claim there is no connection. It's out of warranty, but do I call Speed Queen?

Thanks!

 

[rp2813]

It would depend on what the wire was connected to.  My step-daughter's SQ dryer had a similar problem and I think it was related to a thermostat or other temperature related component.  Loose connections can often be the culprits with this type of thing.

 

[combo52]

Which Wire Connection Failed

If it was on or near the heater and espically if it was the left rear roller that failed you vent system is partly cloged or certainly not ideal. A bad vent will cause the heater area to run hot and cause premature failures.

The component that the failed Wire was connected to weather the heater or a safety thermostat should have also been replaced to ensure a lasting repair.

John L.

 

[lorainfurniture]

What John said

There is a common failure wire ( common in a speed queen way i.e. Not common) near the timer or the heat selection switch. Replace the offending wire and whatever it plugs in to.

 

[dzr]

Thanks. The repair person reached it from removing the front bottom panel. I can't see that it would be either switch.

 

[dzr]

I also had the vent system professionally cleaned about 6 months ago.

 

[lorainfurniture]

That was a heater wire. Odd that it would fail so soon.

 

[mrb627]

Vibration Issue

My guess would be a vibration issue causing the insulation on the wire to rub against a foreign object, wear away, and eventually short. If another component caused the short, it would have been replaced with the wire, right?

Malcolm

 

[combo52]

Bad wire connection in the heater circuit

This is very common on electric dryers, that I've had a lot of use.

It was not caused by vibration, but most likely aggravated by a less than ideal vent situation, even though you say the vent system was cleaned recently is it really to the manufacturer specifications ?

I would suggest running the dryer with the lower panel removed and a heavy load in it for a few minutes and see just how hot it's getting in the heater area if it's glowing bright red your vent system needs help.

John L

 

[dzr]

Thank you!