So I just moved in to a new condo and my dryer that is about 5 yrs old has started acting up. every time I dry a load on the high heat cycle it will trip the breaker after 20-30 min. it does not trip on low heat. I have checked the dryer vent/ dryer for clogs. the owner says there has never been a problem in the past with the breaker(not that it excludeds it from the possible problem). One thing I know is that If I disconnect the dryer vent from the dryer I can run it on high heat with out a problem. Also the dryer has to vent the air 8ft up and then 7-8ft to the outside of the condo. And for the vertical 8ft I was using the metal flex able ducting that is brand new. After some research I think it is one of the following a bad thermal cuff, faulty breaker, a bad heating element, a bad drive motor. I think it is most likely a bad thermal cuff, but I want to get some more opinions before I go testing everything. Any suggestions?
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I got a free dryer after someone did a bunch of work to it including a new motor. Breaker was bad. I would check the vent for clogs or a sticking flapper. Try disconnecting the flex from the vent a little and see if it offers air resistance when the dryer is running. Or go outside and see if the flapper opens when the dryer runs.
It sounds like excessive heat in the dryer may be the problem, so make sure lint is not blocking the air intake, or motor vents.
Does it blow air pretty stout when the dryer runs? If not there may be an internal blockage in the dryer.
You may want to put an ammeter on the wiring to determine the actual current consumption.
That's the easy stuff.
The odd thing is that a blocked duct or some other cause for overheating would cause the thermal cutout to trip repeatedly and actually reduce the average current. However, the cycling on and off could slowly nudge the breaker towards tripping.
There's really nothing short of a stalled motor that will cause a dryer to draw MORE current.
My money's on a marginal breaker, probably abetted by the poor vent stack construction (flex should only be used for short distances) or out-and-out clogging.
What size is the breaker?
30amp
yousaid you moved? did you have to change the cord from a 3wire to a 4 wire if so look for burnt loose conections there? loose conections at the outlet or breaker could also be an issue you should have a 30 amp double pole breaker and#10wire