Cold control thermostats and switches in appliance circuits

[thepunk]

My question applies to most appliances.  When doing voltage tests on switches, thermostats and cold controls in refrigerators, can you test voltage across the switch contacts.  I have been checking out some information about circuit testing and some info indicates that you can test a switch in a series circuit, such as a cold control and if it is closed you will get a reading of 0 volts, if it is open you will get a reading of 120 volts.  A voltmeter in series with a switch!!  I always thought you measured voltage from one side of the contact to common on the other side of the line closer to the negative side of line out.  If a voltmeter is in series with the contacts of the switch, thermostat or control, how can it get a reading, unless the voltmeter acts as an amp meter, or maybe the voltmeter just takes the path of least resistance, can anyone explain this.

[whirlpooltech]

If a voltmeter is in series with the contacts of the switch, thermostat or control, how can it get a reading, unless the voltmeter acts as an amp meter, or maybe the voltmeter just takes the path of least resistance, can anyone explain this.

When your taking a voltage reading across the contact of a switch your meter is in parallel with the switch, not in series.

So when the switch is closed you do not get a voltage reading because the probes of your meter are on the same line.

[whirlpooltech]

Here are some self study manuals that you may also find helpful.

http://appliancejunk.com/forums/index.php?action=downloads;cat=23

[thepunk]

I never thought of the meter being in paralel with the switch, but I haven't done a lot of voltage tests, mostly amp and ohms.  that is really helpfull, Thanks!  I tried to access your link about diagnosing appliances, but the link takes me to a hacks page, is there a missing link somewhere.  Thanks for info.

[AJ]

Link works ok for me.

You can also go to the "Helpful Links" box on the left side.
Click on "Manual Index" and then towards the bottom of the "Downloads" page you will see the "Self Study Appliance Repair Manuals" link.

[RegUS_PatOff]

... can you test voltage across the switch contacts. 
I have been checking out some information about circuit testing and some info indicates that you can test a switch in a series circuit   ...

.... if it is closed you will get a reading of 0 volts, if it is open you will get a reading of 120 volts.... 

the switch is in the series circuit, not your voltmeter.

yes, if the switch is closed, you'll read 0v, and if it's open = 120v
(unless it's in an electronic circuit, then it may have any voltage across it,
even a DC voltage)

[JWWebster]

If AJ gives you a link open it first..when opened it usually leads to the download of the manual. This tells you the size of the manual and how many folks have downloaded it. Instead of "save link as" you open the link and then that goes to the link to want to "save link as". Are we clear on that? Haha

[thepunk]

Thanks, I'll check out the link.  Yea it finally clicked in my head.  Meter in paralel with switch, makes since. I mean if you have a resistor in paralel with a switch in series with a circuit and most voltage is passing through the resistor after you open the switch, why wouldn't the meter also have voltage going through it after the switch is open. I was explaining it to a friend at work and he said, I see, Oh Yea.  He use to do refrigeration work, and it took him a while to get it to.  Thanks again!

[JWWebster]

Naturally if the switch is thrown no electrical voltage is gonna show up because you are only getting one side of the circuit. To get a voltage reading you must have a line L-1 and neutral to feed back to. If the switch is bad or OPEN then one side of it will be L-1 and the other side will act as a neutral feed.

[thepunk]

What do you mean by a thrown switch.

[thepunk]

Forget about the term 'throwing a switch"  I know it means On'  Not sure about only getting voltage on one side of the line, with the switch closed.  I just figured that the switch when closed, is taking the meter out of the circuit, through the path of least resistance.  How is the meter getting voltage only on one side of the line with the switch closed.

[thepunk]

The link takes me here "SMFHacks.com" and it asks for me to register and log in, and doesn't give any clue to appliance repair study manuals, so unless I know what the page wants, I won't register.  I tried the left column of this web page and the link on the thread in this forum but I still get the SMFHacks page.

[RegUS_PatOff]

The link takes me here "SMFHacks.com" and it asks for me to register and log in ...

sounds like you've got a ad/spyware on your computer... redirecting certain links...

[AJ]

I was explaining it to a friend at work and he said, I see, Oh Yea.  He use to do refrigeration work, and it took him a while to get it to.

Your kidding right? He us to do refrigeration work and it took him a while to get it?

The link takes me here "SMFHacks.com"

http://SMFHacks.com is the company that our download system software is from.

If you look at the bottom of the downloads page you will see a link that says "Download System". Click it and it takes you to hhttp://SMFHacks.com page.

SMF (http://www.SimpleMachines.org/) is the software we use for the forum.
At the bottom of this page you will see "Powered by SMF" credit links.

I have checked all the download system links myself with three different browsers and two different computers and they work every time for me.

[thepunk]

oh well, the guy I know hasn't done refrigeration work in a while.  For a while he worked on vending machines, but I guess that was a while back.  As far as one side of the line and the meter reading 0 voltage when the switch is closed the only thing i can come up with is that one side of the switch is hot and one side is negative.  So when the switch is closed the meter reads 0 volts.  I guess that thevevinms, can't spell his name, law is in effect here.  Voltage in equals voltage out in any two node points.  Oh well, works for me.  Whatever!