Whirlpool RF198LXMP0 electric range/oven.

So I had a bad infinite switch on the LEFT FRONT dual burner. Stayed on HI all the time for both large or small. I replaced the infinite switch and it works fine.

While I was there I inspected the 3 other infinite switches since the oven has years on it. Infinite switches for the 2 small burners looked fine but the switch for the (large) front right burner had what appeared to be either black burn residue or black carbon traces (or both) on the inside plastic body of the switch. There was also some carbon residue that dropped out of the switch and on to the rear of the control panel face plate so it does appear to be wearing out. The switch still worked fine but since I was there and it was only $18 I figured on being pro active and bought a new one.

The original switch 3148954 had a current rating 10-11.5. The official Whirlpool replacement for that is 3149400 which is rated 8.9-11a. The original one didn't have a wattage rating but I know that burner to be 2400 watts and the new Robertshaw replacement has 2400 watts printed on it. I changed the switch out and tested. I started on a LOW setting to watch it cycle. It did nothing. I had my hand right over the burner and it didnt even get warm. I turned it up to half and the burner came on briefly then right off. I set it to HI and it stayed on for a few seconds then cycled off and repeated...but too fast to cook anything. The original switch set to HI would stay on!

I swapped back to the original and tested again and it worked fine cycling normally even on LOW and MEDIUM settings. On HI it stayed on constantly just as it always had.

Clearly the new switch is not working properly where the old one still does (but really needs changing based on appearance).

Sooo....Does the new switch perhaps have a bi-metal controller that's out of spec causing the circuit to open too soon and the burner to cycle too fast? (and if so...are they all made like that or just this one?)

ORRR maybe the new one is just not a close enough replacement for the original (based on the amperage ratings being different) [10-11.5a old] and [8.9 to 11a new] though Whirlpool officially supercedes original 3148954 for 3149400 as a replacement so you'd think it would work.


Opinions please.

Thanks in advance,
Dan

Edited by user Tuesday, July 6, 2021 12:50:34 PM(UTC)  | Reason: updated details