Oven element wire

[Luke watson]

Hi,

A few weeks ago our oven element broke, so I replaced it, which was a simple enough job. However, it didn't last and one of the wires seems to have caught fire (see photo).

I am hoping this is an easy fix, but I don't know why this may have happened, and would rather not buy a new oven.

It is a plug-in De Longhi oven that I would think is 10 years' old. It is not wired in, and the element was stated to be the right one for the model.

Any help much appreciated.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Loose connection. Clean connectors and fit new spade(s) - properly - to undamaged wire.

 

[Luke watson]

Thanks for the quick reply. So if I take the wire further back to the undamaged section, you think that will be okay and it may just have been due to old wire/connector?

Thanks

 

[EFLImpudence]

Ah, that looks like some of the strands must have broken.

The connector itself looks to have been alright.

 

[EFLImpudence]

I don't recommend the insulated squash flat connectors.

You really need uninsulated open barrel ones - 6.3mm. - and the proper crimp tool.

 

[Luke watson]

You caught me just in time! What is the problem with the insulated ones? I shall get some non insulated ones and replace the others too as all looking a bit ropey.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

You caught me just in time! What is the problem with the insulated ones? I shall get some non insulated ones and replace the others too as all looking a bit ropey.

Ordinary insulated one, because the oven gets hot, they will melt. These connection need to be absolutely perfect, back to clean copper wire and the tongue of the element part of connector needs to be scrapped back to clean metal too.

I suspect your original element was fine, apart from the problem caused by the poor connections.

 

[Luke watson]

Yes, I wondered the same. I binned it so can't check I'm afraid. I couldn't see an obvious bulge back then, but it had tripped the electrics and was very old, and given the rest of the oven worked, I figured it was the element itself, but may have just been the wiring.