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Clueless DIYer here, apologies in advance. I'm hoping someone can tell me (approximately, I don't need an exact part) what the circled component it is / what it's for, in order to help me diagnose repeated failures.

Mystery component in context (a dishwasher inline heating element) Mystery component

Same part removed from a different element, showing scorching Same part removed from a different element, showing scorch marks

Many thanks

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  • \$\begingroup\$ I suggest you make this more clearly a "what is this component" question rather than a "my dishwasher keeps breaking" question; the latter is considered off topic but the former is not. \$\endgroup\$
    – Hearth
    Commented Feb 3, 2019 at 18:07
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    \$\begingroup\$ It may be a thermostat but more likely an over-temperature safety cutout. It may be inadequately rated for the job. \$\endgroup\$
    – Transistor
    Commented Feb 3, 2019 at 18:20
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    \$\begingroup\$ it may be only a terminal strip .... the two sections appear to be installed backwards in the metal bracket, so that the tabs are too close together \$\endgroup\$
    – jsotola
    Commented Feb 3, 2019 at 18:29
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Transistor I've just taken one apart and it's definitely a temperature switch - and since the dishwasher has its own thermostat I'm sure it must be a safety cut-out. If you want to post that as an answer I'll accept - cheers! \$\endgroup\$
    – Rob Hogan
    Commented Feb 3, 2019 at 18:55
  • \$\begingroup\$ @jsotola your comment led me to the root cause of the problem (see answer and comment), much appreciated. \$\endgroup\$
    – Rob Hogan
    Commented Feb 3, 2019 at 19:37

1 Answer 1

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It may be a thermostat but more likely an over-temperature safety cutout as the dishwasher probably has a separate variable thermostat for the various programs.

It is odd that that unit has burnt as it should not switch in normal operation - only in a fault. It may be inadequately rated for the job or, more likely, inadequately rated for the temperature of its environment.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ After you helped me identify the component I was able to do some testing and rule them out as the cause of my issue - they're both normally closed and they open under heat just fine. I suspect the problem is actually arcing between the plates, probably because I never replaced the half-melted connector block after the first failure (not shown). The scorching on these components is a red herring. \$\endgroup\$
    – Rob Hogan
    Commented Feb 3, 2019 at 19:24
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    \$\begingroup\$ Good work. No more washing by hand. More Internet time. \$\endgroup\$
    – Transistor
    Commented Feb 3, 2019 at 19:29

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