Checking immersion thermostats

[gtsib]

Hi,
I recently had to replace the whole heating element in my boiler due to a faulty thermostat (it would operate only if the reset switch was pressed and that for a limit time).
As I was going through the junk in the loft (I rent the place), I noticed a collection of old, badly deteriorating heating elements with their immersion thermostats still in place.
Is there a way to check if the thermostats are operational without installing them. For example, can I check them with a multimeter and if yes what kind of readings should I get ?

Thanks,
George

 

[Agile]

You need to check the resistance when cold which should be less than 0.5 ohms and then warm them up to the switching temp of 55 *C and see if they switch off.

Ideally you need to measure the switch off time with a storage oscilloscope.

Tony

 

[chrishutt]

I recently had to replace the whole heating element in my boiler due to a faulty thermostat

You don't have to replace the whole heating element just to replace the thermostat.