Thermal cutouts and thermal fuses (TCO)
Thermal cutouts open when a part gets too hot. Some reset themselves when they cool; one-shot thermal fuses must be replaced. A blown cutout is a symptom: always find the overheating cause (blocked vent, failed fan, stuck relay) before closing up.
Before you start
- Unplug before testing
- Microwaves: follow the HV discharge procedure before reaching inside
- Never bypass or jumper a cutout, even for a test run
Diagnostic steps
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