How To Test Autoclave Heating Elements

Don't Want To Do The Math?

We make it simple.  To see what the test results for the heater on your autoclave should be, just find the heating element for your autoclave here on this site.  The ranges for your model are given right after the description

The fact that a heating element shows continuity does not tell you whether the heating element is good, only that there are no breaks in the wiring. There could still be a short somewhere within the element itself causing your heating problems and, with our guide below, checking it is a very simple procedure.

This test consists of measuring the amount of resistance in the element. To do this, first, turn the autoclave off and unplug it from the wall

V=Volts
A= Amps (Current)
W=Watts
R = Resistance (measured in OHMS)

To find the number of Volts, the formula is:

• V = (A) x (R)
  (Volts is equal to the number of Amps multiplied by the number of Resistance (ohms)
  

  Example: A Heating Element Pulling 13.333 Amps with a Resistance Level of 9.000 OHMS

  V=(13.333) x (9.000) = 120 Volts (rounded Off). So the heating element is for a 120 Volt unit

To find the number of Amps, the formula is:

• A = (W) / (V)
  (Amps is equal to Watts divided by Volts)
  

  Example: A 1600 Watt, 120 Volt Heating Element

  A = (1600) / (120) = 13.333 Amps. So the heating element is Pulling 13.333 Amps
  

• R = (V) / (A)
  (Resistance is equal to the number of Volts divided by the number of Amps)

  Example: A 120 Volt Heating Element is Pulling 13.333 Amps

  R = (120) / (13.333) R = 9 Ohms (Resistance is measured in OHMS) So the heating element has a resistance value of 9.000 OHMS

To find the number of Watts, the formula is

• W = (V) x (A)
  (Watts is equal to the Number of Volts multiplied by the number of Amps)

  Example: A 120 volt heating element is Pulling 13.333 amps

  W = (120) x (13.333) W = 1600 Watts (Rounded Off)