📖 Glossary, Part
What is a thermostat?
A temperature operated switch, cycling types regulate heat, high limit types cut power in an overheat.
A cycling thermostat switches the heat on and off to hold a target temperature. A high limit thermostat is a safety device that opens if things get too hot and usually resets when they cool, which produces the classic "works for a while, then stops, then works again after an hour" complaint. In refrigeration, a bimetal defrost thermostat decides when it is cold enough to warrant running the defrost heater. All of them test with a multimeter for continuity.
Where you’ll meet it
Repairs that involve thermostat
Related terms
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