Resistive Heating Element Voltage

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flashlight

Senior Member
Location
NY, NY
Occupation
Electrician, semi-retired
Had time on my hands over the weekend, at a cabin.

Had always wondered about the elements on an electric burner, or oven.

So I tested the heating element for the 120V electric cooker, while energized, against ground, got zero.

I always thought there was voltage there. Why not ?
 

Volta

Senior Member
Location
Columbus, Ohio
If it was energized at 120 volts, then 120 volts were there. Did you measure both ends of the element to your ground reference one at a time?
 

kwired

Electron manager
Location
NE Nebraska
are you referring to voltage on the surface of the element? I think maybe you are. If so the outer surface has a layer of insulating material(s) between it and the inner conductive portion that actually carries the current and produces the heat.

If the entire thing including the outer surface was the conducting element then you would easily cause short circuit when ever placing metal cookware on the thing.
 
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