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This video from Sears PartsDirect shows you how to check continuity on wires and electrical parts using a multimeter. Testing continuity tells you whether electrical current is making it all the way through a circuit. It can also help identify whether a wire is creating a short circuit to the metal frame, a potentially dangerous situation.
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Check the entire circuit for continuity
If one of your appliances isn’t working, a break in the wires may be to blame. If an electrical part is connected to the wire, the easiest way to check for continuity is through the entire circuit, because both ends of the circuit will be connected to the control board.
1. Unplug the appliance to avoid electrical shocks.
2. Access the control board. Trace the wires back to the board and measure resistance through the circuit you want to check.
3. You can find the correct resistance value in the appliance’s tech sheet, or by measuring resistance directly at the part.
If the meter shows 1 in the far left digit, or on some meters OL, it means that you have an open circuit and power is not making it all the way through. Either there’s a break in the wires or the electrical component is broken.
Check individual wires for continuity
Before you replace a part, check the individual wires for a break in continuity.
1. Disconnect both ends of the wire.
2. Set the multimeter to check continuity with a tone.
3. Put one meter lead on one end of the wire and the other meter lead on the opposite end of the wire. The meter signals a tone and shows near 0 ohms of resistance if the wire has continuity.
After checking continuity on that wire, you should also check for continuity from that wire to the metal frame. Sometimes a bare or damaged wire can make contact with the metal cabinet on an appliance, dissipating potentially dangerous levels of current, which could shock or kill.
If you ever see continuity between a wire and the metal frame, do not plug the appliance in until all wires have been repaired.
Repair broken wires
You can repair a broken wire by splicing it at the break.
1. Cut the wire and strip 1/4-inch of insulation off the wire ends.
2. Reattach the wires using an appropriate wire nut or connector.
3. Make sure that no strands of bare wire are exposed after repairing the wire.
If the wire is used in a range or oven, connect the wires using a ceramic wire nut properly rated for heat. Ceramic wire nuts with a temperature rating of 200 degrees C are used on most ranges and ovens.
If the splice would shorten the wire so much that it no longer fits, splice in a new length of correctly rated wire.
Always check the continuity of the wire you repaired before reassembling the appliance.
Or call 1-800-437-1673 to speak with a parts specialist.
