How to test a dryer moisture sensor with a multimeter- What is a dryer moisture sensor?
As the name of the device implies, a dryer moisture sensor detects the amount of water left in a dress in a dryer and regulates the drying time. Most people who use dryers are not able to do this simple test to check if the moisture sensor is in good condition. Once their clothes do not dry properly, the first thing they do is to call a repairer who will charge high prices just to take a look at the moisture sensor. This blog is here to save you money because it will teach you how to test a dryer moisture sensor with a multimeter. Find out how to remove the Dyson hair dryer attachment.
How does a dryer moisture sensor operate?
In dryers where automatic cycles are used, the dryer goes off once the stipulated time for drying clothes end. This is because the moisture sensor does not detect any water left in the clothes again. The time is often displayed on the screen of a dryer to alert the user. The dryer automatically goes off once there is no detection of water in the clothes. The next paragraph will talk about how to test the dryer moisture sensor with a multimeter. Do you know how to test a CDI with a multimeter?
The principle of the dryer moisture sensor is one of the simplest I have come across. Once the wet clothes are placed in the dryer, the sensor sends signals to the dryer electronically to calculate the amount of time left to dry the clothes. Find out about how to test a distributor with a multimeter.
How to test dryer moisture sensor with a multimeter
What is a multimeter?
Three things are usually measured in electrical appliances. These three are; resistance, current, and voltage. Each parameter has a different device for measurement. Resistance is to the ohmmeter; current is to the ammeter and voltage is to a voltmeter. But with the invention of the multimeter by Donald Macadie, you do not need these devices to measure for the parameters I have listed above. The multimeter is simply a device used to measure the resistance, electrical current, and voltage of a device. You can also read about how to clean the Dyson hair filter.
Step-by-step approach on how to test dryer moisture sensor with a multimeter
- Locate your sensor moisture sensor
To locate your dryer sensor moisture read the manual that came with the dryer. This will show you the exact position of the sensor with less difficulty. If you have difficulty locating the position, you can call the customer line of the product and they will aid you in finding the position of the sensor.
- Clean the moisture sensor
The moisture sensor may be a bit wet so it is best you clean the area with cotton or some damp cloth. Clean with less aggression.
If there are caked residues around the sensor, you resort to the use of sandpaper which will remove these caked residues in no time. Avoid using sharp materials to remove cake residues.
After using the sandpaper, there might be debris left on the sensor. Use a brush with soft bristles to clean and polish it off like a new moisture sensor in the dryer. You can also learn how to test a laptop battery with a multimeter.
- Change the settings of the sensor
One of the reasons why your clothes will not be properly dried is that the sensor has been timed. This means that even if the clothes are not dried, the dryer will go off since the stipulated time is over. With this information, do you think the best thing to do is to call your technician or follow the procedures I have provided above.
The cycle must be changed to automatic once you notice it has been timed.
- Test the dryer
Now the settings of the dryer have been changed to automatic, put some moist clothes in the dryer to see if the fault was from the settings of the sensor or the sensor itself. You have to observe the following things.
If the dryer goes off after the clothes are dried, the problem has been solved. If the clothes dry and the dryer is still running, you have a problem with the moisture sensor. If the clothes are not dried and the dryer goes off, you also have a problem with the moisture sensor.
You have now seen that the moisture sensor is at fault. What do you do now?
- Turn off the dryer
Turn the knob off and remove the cable from the main outlet. This will prevent any electrical shocks when working on the sensor.
- Unscrew your moisture sensor
Once it is located, you can remove the moisture sensor by using a screwdriver that fits the screw and remove it gently. Make sure that you put the screws on a tray to prevent it from getting lost.
- Use the voltmeter
Turn on the voltmeter and place the positive test probe(red) on one side of the moisture sensor and the negative probe(black) on the other side. Once it doesn’t read, then there is something wrong with the sensor.
Most moisture sensors are not able to transmit signals to the controller of the dryer because plaques are formed on the surface of the sensor. The best thing to do is to clean again with sandpaper to remove any plaque on the surface of the moisture sensor.
- Test the sensor again
Place the test probes on the surface of the moisture sensor as it has been described in step 6. Once it reads greater than zero almost to one, you have fixed your problem. If it reads close to zero, the problem is still persistent. It may be that the sensor needs more washing or it is totally destroyed. The best thing to do is to buy a new sensor or buy a new dryer. I think the former will be the best if you are budget tight.
- Fix the sensor
Use the right screws to fix the sensor and make sure it is tightly fixed before you turn on the dryer.
- Test the dryer
Put in some moist clothes and you will realize that you have fixed your dryer moisture sensor without spending a dime.
Conclusion
You can agree with me that this is the most informative procedure on how to test a dryer moisture sensor with a multimeter. Doing this will prevent you from wasting your money on technicians and even charlatans who parade as technicians to rip you off. Have you heard about the Lylux cordless hair dryer? Another skill you can add is how to tune a monoblock ap with a multimeter.