Thermostat "problem" - thermal cutoff protection actually works!

[dbonnell]

Just relaying an experience in case someone else happens across it. I swap= ped a 500W baseboard heater for a new 300W unit as part of a circuit balanc= ing act.

Heater refused to turn on, but the digital thermostat seemed just fine. Me= asured voltage at heater, only getting 200. SHIT, did I puncture/damage wi= ring when finishing the room? Even at a lowly 200V I figured the heater wo= uld turn on (just a simple resistor).

I guess 200V is too low, as it turns out the thermostat was rated for a min= imum of 2A (300W is only 1.25A). Bypassing the thermostat temporarily, the= heater (now face-down on the floor) is producing heat.

Off to store, purchase a thermostat that is compatible with lower loads. M= ake the connections, all looks good until I'm screwing the thermostat face = plate on. Without warning, the thermostat display goes blank. SHIT! Di= d I short something out when screwing in the plate? Try again, seems ok bu= t the same thing happens. Can't believe I bought a bad thermostat.

Then it dawns on me...thermal cutoff is activating. Didn't think I'd ever = see it, particularly with a little 300W heater. Problem resolved simply by= orienting heater in 'normal' position.

This calls for a cold beer....

[Tony Hwang]

a 500W baseboard heater for a new 300W unit as part of a circuit balancing act.

Measured voltage at heater, only getting 200. SHIT, did I puncture/damage wiring when finishing the room? Even at a lowly 200V I figured the heater would turn on (just a simple resistor).

minimum of 2A (300W is only 1.25A). Bypassing the thermostat temporarily, the heater (now face-down on the floor) is producing heat.

the connections, all looks good until I'm screwing the thermostat face plate on. Without warning, the thermostat display goes blank. SHIT! Did I short something out when screwing in the plate? Try again, seems ok but the same thing happens. Can't believe I bought a bad thermostat.

it, particularly with a little 300W heater. Problem resolved simply by orienting heater in 'normal' position.

Have you read the manual for sure?, LOL!

[dbonnell]

see it, particularly with a little 300W heater. Problem resolved simply by orienting heater in 'normal' position.

Ha! No manual came with the heater. The new T-stat manual did mention thermal cutoff protection but I ignored it since the heater had just been turned on...I expected the heater to get somewhat warm before it actually shut itself off (it didn't)!

BTW, who reads manuals anymore? I installed 10 other heaters in the house and never had an issue. Can't teach an old dog something or other...

[hrhofmann]

'd ever see it, particularly with a little 300W heater. =A0Problem resolved= simply by orienting heater in 'normal' position.

on thermal cutoff protection but I ignored it since the heater had just bee= n turned on...I expected the heater to get somewhat warm before it actually= shut itself off (it didn't)!

use and never had an issue. =A0Can't teach an old dog something or other...

My heater has a gravity type switch as well, so that the heater turns off unless it is standing in its normal operating position. So, it turns off if turned over into any position except normal upright position.