[wlsz941]

My wife turned on the oven, and it made an arcing sound and immediately filled with smoke. After the smoke cleared, I saw that the baking element had completely burned into two pieces and the inside of the oven was coated in a yellowish powder. Is this a normal occurance, or does this mean there could be other issues than just the element needing to be replaced?

[denman]

Here are your parts
Replacement parts for WHIRLPOOL RS696PXEQ0 | AppliancePartsPros.com

Is this a normal occurance, or does this mean there could be other issues than just the element needing to be replaced?
This is one way that thje element can fail.
If you mean that "other issues" is that something else cause this then the answer is no, it is just one way an element can fail.

If you mean that this failure could cause other problems then the answer is yes. When things arc and spark in an oven the control board can get damaged.

Is the control board still on or have you killed power to the unit?

[wlsz941]

No, the "other issues" was asking if something else could be the root cause of the the element failure. Everything else on the range seems to be working just as it should.

Thanks for the help.

[denman]

If you have not done it already then I would just replace the element.

Unplug or remove power from the unit.
This is very important because many units still have 120 volts attached to the element even with the control set to off.
Undo the screw holding the element to the back of the oven and gently pull the element into the oven.
Disconnect the wires from the element and install your replacement.

It is a good idea to clip something (clothespin etc.) onto the wires so they cannot disappear into the back of the unit before you get the new element attached.