Older electric range controls?

Posted by Davej on January 31, 2008, 1:49 pm

I was just thinking about electric ranges and wondering how the
controls for the heating elements actually work. Does anyone know?
They can't be variable resistors because they would dissipate too much
power. They obviously aren't variable autotransformers. They can't be
triac-dimmers because they pre-date that technology. So what are they?
Some sort of duty-cycling switch? Thanks.

Posted by RBM on January 31, 2008, 1:57 pm

You got it, the higher you set it, the longer period of cycle time it keeps
the circuit closed

>I was just thinking about electric ranges and wondering how the
> controls for the heating elements actually work. Does anyone know?
> They can't be variable resistors because they would dissipate too much
> power. They obviously aren't variable autotransformers. They can't be
> triac-dimmers because they pre-date that technology. So what are they?
> Some sort of duty-cycling switch? Thanks.

Posted by Jeff Wisnia on January 31, 2008, 3:10 pm

RBM wrote:

> You got it, the higher you set it, the longer period of cycle time it keeps
> the circuit closed
>
>
>
>

>>I was just thinking about electric ranges and wondering how the
>>controls for the heating elements actually work. Does anyone know?
>>They can't be variable resistors because they would dissipate too much
>>power. They obviously aren't variable autotransformers. They can't be
>>triac-dimmers because they pre-date that technology. So what are they?
>>Some sort of duty-cycling switch? Thanks.

>
>
>

What's the typical on-off cycling rate at say 1/2 power.

Jeff (Who is too lazy to stick a clamp on ammeter on an element lead.)

--
Jeffry Wisnia
(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
The speed of light is 1.8*10^12 furlongs per fortnight.

Posted by JoeSpareBedroom on January 31, 2008, 3:14 pm

> RBM wrote:

>> You got it, the higher you set it, the longer period of cycle time it
>> keeps the circuit closed

>>>I was just thinking about electric ranges and wondering how the
>>>controls for the heating elements actually work. Does anyone know?
>>>They can't be variable resistors because they would dissipate too much
>>>power. They obviously aren't variable autotransformers. They can't be
>>>triac-dimmers because they pre-date that technology. So what are they?
>>>Some sort of duty-cycling switch? Thanks.

> What's the typical on-off cycling rate at say 1/2 power.
> Jeff (Who is too lazy to stick a clamp on ammeter on an element lead.)

Do you mean how often does it cycle, or how much power is being cycled? If
the former, just listen for the sounds! Mine clicks when the power cycles.

Posted by RBM on January 31, 2008, 3:30 pm

I haven't got a clue

> RBM wrote:

>> You got it, the higher you set it, the longer period of cycle time it
>> keeps the circuit closed

> What's the typical on-off cycling rate at say 1/2 power.
> Jeff (Who is too lazy to stick a clamp on ammeter on an element lead.)
> --
> Jeffry Wisnia
> (W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
> The speed of light is 1.8*10^12 furlongs per fortnight.
>

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