There is an easy and quick way to test the simmerstat by doing a comparison check since it is not the voltage getting cut down when turning down the heat, but rather the length of the time delay the switch stays on before going off for the cooling down of its bi-metal strip (Figure 4), so with that in mind, if this only happens with one of the cooktop’s coil, the following comparison should be performed:Ģ.1-There should be a second coil exactly like the defective one in the cooktop. Step 2 - Defective Bi-Metal StripĪlso called an infinite switch, the simmerstat will be the likely culprit when a coil that stays too hot stays on for more than 2 1/2 minutes, especially after being turned down to a low setting. If any of the coils stay permanently red hot without ever flicking off, a defective simmerstat with its contacts fused together is at fault and needs to be replaced. When turned on a low setting the coils should only stay on for a few seconds before going off. At some point the elements will require to be switched on, so to avoid personal injury, it’s crucial that any parts of the body and clothing are kept away from any hot surfaces! Step 1 - Stuck ContactsĪ functional simmerstat operates by switching a heating coil on then off repeatedly while going through preset timed cycles. However, before starting, anything sitting on the cooktop must be removed. Safety first! Troubleshooting an element that always heats on high requires visual observations, so the power has to be on to perform some of the tests. The radiant coils are also complemented with a built-in “limiter” to protect against overheating by shutting down the power to the coil elements when they get too hot (Figure 6). The radiant coils were introduced to accommodate the ceramic glass cooktops with a concealed heat source beneath the glass top. Conventional vs Radiant Coilsįigures 5 & 6 show two different types of heater coils-the conventional coil and the radiant coil. The average cooking temperature is therefore based on how long the cycle lasts. Once the contacts are opened, with no more current flowing through, the bi-metal strip gradually cools down to the point where the contacts close again, initiating a new cycle to repeat itself. With the dial turned down, the element is on for a few seconds until the bi-metal switches it off. Īs the control button is turned clockwise, it rotates a cam that applies an increasing amount of pressure, pushing the contacts together so when it reaches the max setting, the bi-metal cannot counteract it, causing the direct heat to remain turned on at maximum wattage until it's turned down. This causes the bi-metal (right contactor in Figure 4) to flex out and break contact. How the Controller Worksįigure 3 shows the inside of the simmerstat with two sets of contactors that make contact as the dial is turned clockwise, letting the current go through a bi-metal strip that generates a small amount of heat.

The time it stays on depends on the setting of the control knob. This constitutes a complete cycle, and it keeps repeating itself. Instead of controlling from the ambient heat in the oven, it controls it with an 'infinite switch' (AKA ''simmerstat') that determines how long the heat is applied to the heater coil before switching it off until it cools down and switches back on.

The cooktop part of the stove applies direct heat to food.

Stick ranger 2 switch controls