How to Use a Multimeter to Test a Thermostat

How to check a faulty thermostat using a multimeter
Thermostat not working properly? Here, eSpares show you how to use a multimeter to test a thermostat to determine whether or not it's faulty.

If you're having temperature control issues with one of your household appliances, the real issue might be a faulty or broken thermostat. However, knowing how to test a thermostat isn't exactly common knowledge, which is why we're here to help. In this video, we quickly run you through checking a thermostat with a multimeter so you can find out whether the thermostat is on the blink or not.

You can get your hands on a multimeter through the eSpares website at the following link.

If you have any other small appliances that need testing for faults with a multimeter, our video guide will teach you everything you need to know.

Want to skip straight to the information you need? Here's what we talk about in each part of our video:

0:00 Introducing the video
0:13 How to set the multimeter
0:25 How to test the thermostat
0:26 Suggested video: Plug in 13 Amp Socket Tester
0:35 Suggested video: How to Fault Trace on a Small Appliance Using a Multimeter

Thanks for watching!

[Firebrand]

At last! A How To that tells you exactly what to do, clearly, and in as short a time as possible!

[iamTheSnark]

I thought it was like this. Thanks for the confirmation!

[TOONZiTO]

thanks for the video! im wanting to check the thermostat on my dryer, do i need to remove to test it

[radishpea]

would be nice if you could add a test of a thermostat with a high reading. Apart from that, great video

[Rob-metoo]

You should really zoom in on the meter so we can read what the settings are especially for people that can't see that well

[TravelingDirector]

I follow the directions in the video and I believe my thermostat is faulty. I used a wire and tried to bypass the thermostat but it still doesn't fix the microwave. Does it mean that there is another issue? Or is the microwave smart enough to know that it needs a working thermostat?

[garyblackbourne]

If the fuse box circuit breaker for the Hot water cylinder trips intermittently it can be a faulty circuit breaker. I found mine tripping as the physical tension on the switch was very weak and hence it kept tripping. Replaced the circuit breaker and it was fine.

[sqt]

Hi! What if it is giving you different numbers. Mine doesn't go close to zero instead... it is putting 11... 92... 31, 117 etc. something random. For sure it is not working right correct? Thanks in advance!

[michaelwarwick]

This is a very poor test because it's testing temperature dependant devices only at room temperature.

Yes, the open circuit reading (infinite resistance) shows that the second thermostat is faulty, i.e. that it will not conduct electricity - but the fact that the first thermostat passes a continuity test means only that it will conduct current at room temperature, and not that it will cut out at its designated protection termperature.

I have a thermostat of this type in my tumble dryer. It passes a continuity test at room temperature (just like the one above) but does not cut out when the element overheats the drying air. It is therefore faulty - and dangerously so, in allowing the heater to keep on heating when it should be shutting it down - but the test shown above would deem my thermostat "okay". ;-)

[Accumulator]

What BS ! Those thermostats can be bought both in a normally closed setting and normally open setting. So a person has to be careful which one they need for a specific repair. Also they come in different temperature ratings so that must also be considered when buying one.

[emilloffler]

This is confusing, you say a working thermostat can also have a reading of zero, and a none-working one zero too.

[dzmalekvali]

I though they should read about 11k...ok lower bin it?? Both your tests to the bin

[hmongremark]

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