Maytag LAT8014 - Continuity Testing

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CAUTION ----------,
Always be sure the power has been
disconnected before making resist-
ance measurements. Failure to do
so
will result in damage to your
meter! Internal batteries provide all
the power needed to make resist-
ance checks. They should be
checked at
least once a year and
replaced as needed.
For the most part, we will only be con-
cerned with continuity. Is there a path
or not? References are made between
a "closed" (continuity) reading and an
"open" (no continuity) reading. One
note,
when you get an "open" reading,
try a higher resistance range (setting).
A
very high resistance appears as an
"open" on the lower ranges. For best
accuracy always "re-zero" meter when
changing ranges and/or the physical
position of the meter.
Continuity testing, as related to an elec-
trical component, is the check of a part
for an "open" or "closed" circuit.
16001145
Electrical components fall into two
general categories.
1. LOADS - Devices that use or
consume electricity. Examples
would include drive motor, heating
elements,
lamps, timer and solenoid
coils.
2. SWITCHES - Devices that control
the supply of electricity to the load
or loads in a circuit. Examples
include door switches, timer con-
tacts,
selector switch and relay con-
tacts.
Continuity tests of "load" devices will
show varying levels of resistance from
very low for some transformer and
motor windings to very high for some
timer motors and components on elec-
tronic control boards. Usually it is more
important to know if there is a path for
current flow through a device (conti-
nuity)
than to know the exact resistance
(ohms) of the device.
Continuity tests of switches will show
virtually no resistance across closed
contacts. Resistance, even
low values
indicates burned or dirty contacts in a
switch.
Continuity testing is a process of elimi-
nating those electrical components
involved in a given function of the appli-
ance, until the inoperative part is found.
By reviewing the list of possible elec-
trical problems under a given condition,
and then performing appropriate conti-
nuity checksQn the parts involved, you
should be
able to locate the electrical
component which is inoperative.
When checking components or circuit
paths for continuity, external wiring
should be disconnected to eliminate
false readings through external paths.
Isolate
what you want to test.
SECTION 1. GENERAL INFORMATION 1-14
©1994 Maytag Corporation