The WB44X173 GE Range Oven Broil Element is a tubular resistive heating element designed for use as the upper heat source in GE electric range ovens. Physically, it is indeed a metal-sheathed heating tube that mounts at the top of the oven cavity and connects too the appliance wiring through insulated spade terminals; electrically it functions as a high-power resistor that converts supplied electrical energy into radiant heat for broiling operations.
Inside the appliance the broil element is part of the oven’s heating subsystem and interfaces with the range control (selector switch or electronic control board), the wiring harness and associated fuses or relays, and any temperature-limiting devices such as thermal cutouts or oven sensors. When broil mode is selected the control supplies line voltage to the element; the element’s temperature and condition affect heat distribution in the cavity and can influence broil performance, surface temperatures and, in some control schemes, feedback to the oven control for timed or thermostatic cycling.
In this article you will find a technical review of the WB44X173’s function and typical installation locations, guidance on model compatibility and how to verify the correct part number for a specific range, common failure symptoms (open circuit, visible damage, uneven heating, loss of broil function), step-by-step troubleshooting techniques (visual inspection, continuity checks, voltage measurement under broil command, and connector/harness examination), and practical replacement considerations including mounting and terminal fit, required tools, and basic post-replacement verification. Procedures assume the technician will isolate mains power before performing tests or service and will consult the appliance’s service manual for model-specific disassembly instructions.
table of Contents
- Functional Role and Thermal Performance Specifications of the Oven broil Element
- How the WB44X173 GE Range Oven Broil Element Integrates Electrically and Thermally Within the Range
- Common Failure Modes, Observable Symptoms, and Diagnostic Measurements for the Broil Element
- Compatibility, Replacement Criteria, Installation Procedure, and Troubleshooting Checklist
- Q&A
- Final Thoughts
Functional Role and Thermal Performance Specifications of the Oven Broil Element
The WB44X173 GE Range Oven Broil Element is a dedicated radiant heating element mounted at the top of the oven cavity that converts electrical energy into high-intensity infrared heat for direct-surface broiling. Unlike the bake element that provides diffuse convective heating from the oven floor or rear, the broil element delivers focused radiant energy and is controlled either directly by a broil selector or indirectly by the electronic control/thermostat depending on the model. The element is constructed from a high-resistance alloy formed in a sealed sheath; its thermal behavior is dominated by low thermal mass and rapid surface temperature rise, so it reaches effective broiling temperatures quickly and maintains radiant output proportional to applied voltage and duty cycle commanded by the range controls.
Thermal performance and compatibility depend on matching electrical terminals, mounting configuration, and rated duty voltage; physical fit and terminal spacing shoudl be verified against the appliance schematic before replacement. Common operational symptoms that indicate degraded thermal performance include non-uniform browning,slow heat-up,visible oxidation or blistering,and loss of continuity. Technicians typically diagnose the element with a visual inspection and a multimeter continuity or resistance check (an open circuit indicates a failed heater), and they also inspect for shorts to the chassis or contact corrosion that can affect heat delivery. Practical service guidance: ensure the replacement matches the range’s terminal type and mounting hooks, avoid bending the sheath which can create hot spots, and when diagnosing intermittent problems consider intermittent contact at the terminal block as well as the element itself.
- Features: rapid radiant heat output, sealed high-resistance alloy sheath, top-cavity mounting for direct broiling.
- Common failures: open circuit, localized sheath damage, grounding faults, terminal corrosion.
- Inspection steps: visual sheath check, continuity/resistance measurement, verify terminal spacing and mounting before install.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Material | Sealed high-resistance alloy element (typically nickel‑chromium type) within a protective sheath |
| Typical failure modes | Open circuit, sheath oxidation/blistering, short to ground, terminal corrosion |
| Diagnostic check | Visual inspection + multimeter continuity/resistance; confirm correct terminal configuration for replacement |
How the WB44X173 GE Range Oven Broil Element Integrates Electrically and Thermally Within the Range
The WB44X173 GE Range Oven Broil Element is a resistive heating element that connects directly into the range’s high-voltage heating circuit and serves as the primary radiant heat source for broiling. In typical North American installations it is driven from the oven’s two hot legs (nominal 240 V) through the range control or a dedicated broil relay; when the control applies line voltage the element behaves as a low-resistance load, rapidly converting electrical power into radiant heat. Technicians use simple electrical checks-continuity across the element, cold resistance in the range of roughly 10-25 Ω (depending on the element’s wattage and length), and a live-voltage reading at the spade terminals during a broil call-to confirm proper electrical integration. If an element is open, shorted to chassis, or shows grossly uneven resistance along its length, the broil function will fail or will trip protective devices on the range.
- Diagnostic checks: visual inspection for breaks/oxidation, continuity test, and line-voltage verification at the element terminals with the selector engaged.
- Integration points: spade terminal size and orientation, mounting bracket alignment, and any series safety thermostat or thermal fuse in the broil circuit.
- Behavioral note: elements radiate primarily as infrared from the forward-facing surface and will show localized hot spots if internal coils are compromised.
| Item | description |
|---|---|
| Nominal voltage | 240 V supply (two hot legs) for typical GE ranges |
| Typical cold resistance | Approximately 10-25 Ω depending on wattage and element geometry |
| Typical current draw | Varies with wattage; commonly in the 10-20 A range at 240 V |
| Mechanical/connector details | Spade terminals, mounting bracket at oven roof, insulation/heat shield to protect wiring |
Thermally, the broil element is positioned at the oven cavity ceiling so that most energy is delivered as direct radiant flux to the top surface of the food, producing rapid surface browning while the rest of the cavity warms by convection. The element’s thermal coupling to the sheet-metal roof and any heat shields affects how heat is distributed; damaged insulation or incorrect mounting changes both the local temperature profile and the heat load on the thermostat/temperature sensor. For replacement and compatibility, match the element by part number, terminal type, overall length, and bracket geometry-an incorrectly sized element can contact the oven interior, change clearances, or alter watt density enough to produce uneven cooking or trigger overtemperature protection. for safety and reliable troubleshooting, always isolate mains power before disconnecting the element and confirm connector fit and chassis grounding when installing a WB44X173 or its equivalent.
Common Failure Modes, Observable Symptoms, and Diagnostic Measurements for the Broil Element
The WB44X173 GE Range Oven Broil Element is a resistive heating element that provides the high-intensity radiant heat required for broiling. In service it should present as a continuous conductor between its two supply terminals and remain electrically isolated from the oven chassis; common failure modes include an open filament (loss of continuity), insulation breakdown causing a short to chassis, degraded terminal joints producing intermittent connection or arcing, and localized corrosion or deformation that reduces effective heating area. These failures manifest in practical ways: the element may produce no heat, heat only intermittently, cause uneven browning across the cooking surface, or generate visible sparks at the terminal block during operation, and in severe cases may trip a breaker or blow a fuse.
Diagnostic troubleshooting is best driven by measurable signs: perform a visual inspection for breaks,blisters,or discolouration; verify continuity with a multimeter (an open reading indicates element failure); measure DC resistance and compare to expected values for the oven’s rated wattage using R = V^2 / P as a reference; and check insulation resistance to chassis with a megohmmeter to detect leakage.Compatibility considerations include matching the element’s length, mounting bracket, and terminal type to the specific GE range model; even a functional element can perform poorly if it does not seat correctly or if terminal connections are lose.Always isolate mains power before removing or testing the element to avoid injury or damage to the appliance.
- No heat output or wholly open circuit on multimeter (open continuity).
- Reduced or uneven heating with resistance value higher than expected for rated power.
- Arcing or visible sparking at terminals, intermittent heating, or tripped breakers indicating short or poor connection.
- Insulation resistance to chassis below acceptable thresholds (<1 MΩ typical indicator of leakage requiring replacement).
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| nominal voltage | 240 VAC (typical for household ranges; verify model-specific rating) |
| Typical DC resistance | approximately 10-30 Ω depending on rated wattage (use R = V²/P to estimate) |
| Compatibility | Match element length, mounting brackets, and terminal style to the specific GE range model; WB44X173 fits designated GE range assemblies |
Compatibility, Replacement Criteria, Installation Procedure, and Troubleshooting checklist
The WB44X173 GE Range Oven Broil Element is the resistive heating element used in the broil cavity of many GE electric ranges and ovens; it heats by converting line voltage into thermal energy through a high-resistance alloy conductor enclosed in a metal sheath. Compatibility depends on mounting bracket geometry, terminal style, and nominal electrical rating – most replacements require a 240 V element with matching spade terminals and similar overall length and bend pattern so the element sits at the correct distance from the food. Typical behavior for this type of element is even red-hot radiative heating across the exposed face; common failure modes include an open circuit (no continuity), localized burn-through or blistering of the sheath, and electrical short to chassis ground, which can be diagnosed with a multimeter and visual inspection.
Use physical and electrical checks to determine replacement criteria and to guide a safe installation. Before touching the element, disconnect power at the breaker and verify absence of voltage at the terminal block; remove oven racks and the rear broil panel to access the element, document the terminal orientation, then unscrew the mounting brackets and disconnect the spade connectors. After fitting the new WB44X173 element, secure the mounting hardware, reconnect the terminals with correct polarity where applicable, and test at a low broil setting while monitoring for even heat and absence of arcing. For troubleshooting, follow a concise checklist that covers symptom identification, continuity and resistance measurement, terminal voltage verification, and inspection for mechanical damage or poor connections.
- No heat – check continuity across the element; infinite resistance indicates an open element.
- Partial or uneven heating – inspect for blistering, deformation, or internal breaks; measure resistance uniformity if possible.
- Sparking or tripping breakers – check for short to ground using an insulation test or continuity to chassis.
- Loose or corroded terminals – verify tight, clean spade connections and correct terminal placement.
- After replacement - confirm correct operation on a short trial cycle and re-check mounting for clearance and secure fit.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Part number | WB44X173 GE Range Oven Broil Element (OEM) |
| Typical resistance | Approximately 20-30 Ω at room temperature (varies by power rating) |
| Nominal voltage | Typically 240 V for residential electric ranges |
| Mounting | Screw-mount bracket with two spade terminal connections |
Q&A
What is the WB44X173 broil element and what does it do?
The WB44X173 is a replacement broil (upper) heating element used in many GE electric ranges and wall ovens. It provides the direct, high-heat source at the top of the oven cavity used for broiling and browning foods. It is indeed an OEM-style element designed to fit specific GE models.
what are common symptoms that the WB44X173 broil element is failing?
Common signs include: no heat when the oven is set to broil, slow or uneven browning, visible breaks or blisters in the element, arcing or sparking from the element, or the element glowing intermittently. Visible cracks or exposed wires are a definite indication to replace it.
How do I test the broil element with a multimeter?
First disconnect power to the oven at the circuit breaker. Remove the element access screws and pull the element forward enough to reach the terminals. Set your multimeter to the ohms (Ω) range and measure between the two element terminals – you should see a low resistance value (a few ohms to a few tens of ohms depending on the element). A reading of infinite or OL means the element is open and bad. Also check between each terminal and the element body (ground); that should read infinite – a low reading indicates a short to ground and a failed element.
Can I clean the WB44X173 element, or does discoloration mean it must be replaced?
Light surface discoloration or minor carbon deposits from normal use are common and do not necessarily mean replacement is required. You can gently clean the element when cool with a damp cloth and non-abrasive cleaner. However, if you see cracks, blisters, exposed wires, severe pitting, or if the element arcs, it must be replaced.
How do I replace the WB44X173 broil element?
Always disconnect power at the breaker first. Remove oven racks, then remove the mounting screws at the front of the element and pull it forward to access the quick-disconnect terminals in the oven back or wall. Note terminal positions, disconnect the terminals, and swap in the new element. Reconnect terminals,push the element back into position,secure the mounting screws,restore power,and test on broil for a short period. If you’re not comfortable working on electrical appliances, hire a qualified technician.
Do I need any additional parts when replacing the element?
usually you only need the new element and possibly replacement terminal slip-on connectors if the existing connectors are corroded or damaged. In some models mounting screws are standard hardware and are reused. Always verify connector types and part compatibility for your specific oven model; sometimes a harness or retaining clips are included with the element.
How do I know the WB44X173 will fit my GE range?
Check your oven’s model number (usually on a label around the frame of the oven door or on the oven cavity) and cross-reference the manufacturer’s parts list or a reliable parts retailer to confirm compatibility. Ordering by the WB44X173 part number is reliable only when that part number is listed as compatible with your specific appliance model.
I replaced the element but broiling still doesn’t work – what should I check next?
If the new element is good, check that the oven control is actually sending power to the broil circuit (control board or thermostat failure, blown thermal fuse/limit, or a relay). Verify power at the element terminals with the broil function turned on (only do this if you are qualified and power is on; otherwise call a technician). Also confirm proper oven configuration (some electronic controls have separate broil elements or modes). If in doubt, contact an appliance technician to diagnose control or wiring faults.
Final Thoughts
The WB44X173 GE Range Oven Broil Element serves as the primary source of intense radiant heat used for broiling and high-temperature surface browning in compatible GE ranges. As a dedicated heating component, it directly affects cook quality and oven performance; a functioning broil element contributes to even browning, proper searing, and predictable cooking times, while a damaged or failing element can produce uneven results or a nonworking broil function.
As symptoms of a faulty broil element can resemble other oven issues, accurate diagnosis is vital before replacing parts.Visual inspection for physical damage, continuity testing with a multimeter, and confirmation of model compatibility help ensure the issue is correctly identified.When replacement is required, using the appropriate WB44X173 element and following manufacturer installation and safety procedures restores proper operation and reduces the risk of further damage or safety hazards. If there is any uncertainty about diagnosis or installation, consulting a qualified appliance technician is advisable.
In sum,the WB44X173 broil element plays a focused but essential role in oven functionality; careful diagnosis and correct replacement preserve cooking performance and safety,and help maintain the long-term reliability of the appliance.
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