XPARTCO 8318314 Dryer Thermal Cutoff Fuse (352°F)
The XPARTCO 8318314 is an aftermarket replacement 352°F thermal cutoff fuse compatible with a wide range of Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Kenmore, Amana, Crosley, Roper, Inglis, and Estate dryers. The thermal cutoff fuse is a critical safety device mounted near the heating element housing — it acts as a backup safety in case the high-limit thermostat fails to open. When the air temperature inside the heating element area reaches 352°F, the fuse permanently opens and cuts power to the heater circuit, preventing the dryer from continuing to overheat and creating a fire risk.
This is a one-time fuse — once it has tripped, it cannot be reset and must be replaced. White and gray metal/ceramic construction. Dimensions: 1-1/4"L x 1-1/4"W x 2-3/16"H, with approximately 1-5/8" between mounting holes (center to center). It directly replaces 8318314. Important: when the thermal cutoff blows, the high-limit thermostat (8557403 — sold separately) is often also stressed and should be tested or replaced at the same time. Installs in 15–20 minutes with basic hand tools.
Quick Answer
The XPARTCO 8318314 Dryer Thermal Cutoff Fuse (352°F) fixes Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Kenmore, Amana, Crosley, Roper, Inglis, and Estate dryers that suddenly stopped heating after an overheat event. One-time fuse — 352°F open, must be replaced once blown. 1-1/4"L x 1-1/4"W x 2-3/16"H, ~1-5/8" between mounting holes. Metal/ceramic. Often replaced alongside the high-limit thermostat (8557403, sold separately).
Common Problems This Part Fixes
Dryer suddenly stopped heating with no warning — thermal cutoff has blown after an overheat event
Dryer runs and tumbles normally but produces no heat
No-heat fault following a partially blocked exhaust vent or restricted airflow event
Multimeter continuity test shows the cutoff has an open circuit (no continuity)
Visible damage or discoloration around the thermal cutoff housing from a prior overheat event
Repeated no-heat problems where the thermal cutoff has tripped more than once
Replaces Part Numbers
This thermal cutoff fuse directly replaces the following OEM and cross-reference part numbers:
8318314
If your part number is not listed above, contact our support team before ordering and we will verify compatibility.
Compatibility
This 352°F thermal cutoff fuse is compatible with select dryers from the following brands:
Whirlpool dryers (Elite, Cabrio, Duet, and WED series — select models including WED9200, WED7300, WED7400, WED7600 and related)
Maytag dryers (Maxima and MED series — select models including MED3500, MED6000XW, MEDE900VW and related)
KitchenAid dryers (select models)
Kenmore / Sears dryers — Elite 110-series and related Whirlpool-built models
Amana dryers — NED and YNED series (select models including NED7500VW1 and related)
Crosley dryers (CED series and related models)
Roper dryers (select models)
Inglis dryers (select models)
Estate dryers (select models)
Important — Check Vent Before Restarting: A blown thermal cutoff is almost always the result of restricted dryer airflow. Before replacing this fuse and restoring service, thoroughly clean the dryer's exhaust vent line all the way to the exterior wall outlet, the lint screen, and any internal lint buildup. Installing a new thermal cutoff without fixing the underlying airflow problem will cause the new fuse to blow within a short time, repeating the failure.
Key Features
352°F one-time safety fuse — permanently opens to cut power to the heater circuit if the dryer overheats
Backup safety device — protects against overheating in case the high-limit thermostat fails to open
Cannot be reset — must be replaced once blown
Dimensions: 1-1/4"L x 1-1/4"W x 2-3/16"H; approximately 1-5/8" between mounting holes (center to center)
Metal and ceramic construction in white/gray
Often replaced together with the high-limit thermostat (8557403, sold separately) as a paired safety repair
Compatible with Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Kenmore, Amana, Crosley, Roper, Inglis, and Estate dryers
Aftermarket replacement built to OEM-equivalent quality standards
Quick DIY repair — installs in 15–20 minutes with basic hand tools
Product Specifications
Part Number
8318314
Part Type
Dryer Thermal Cutoff Fuse (Safety Fuse)
Condition
Aftermarket Replacement
Application
Electric and Gas Dryers (Whirlpool platform)
Trip Temperature
352°F
Fuse Type
One-Time (must be replaced once blown — cannot be reset)
Dimensions
1-1/4"L x 1-1/4"W x 2-3/16"H
Mounting Hole Spacing
Approx. 1-5/8" center to center
Color
White / Gray
Material
Metal / Ceramic
Often Replaced With
High-Limit Thermostat (8557403, sold separately)
Compatible Brands
Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Kenmore, Amana, Crosley, Roper, Inglis, Estate
Installation Notes
⚠️ Unplug Dryer Before Starting — Clean Vent System First Disconnect power before beginning. Wear work gloves to protect your hands. Before installing the new thermal cutoff, thoroughly clean the dryer's vent line — from the lint screen through the duct to the exterior wall outlet, plus any internal lint buildup around the heater housing. A blown thermal cutoff is virtually always caused by restricted airflow; if you don't fix the underlying cause, the new fuse will trip again soon. Access the thermal cutoff by removing the rear (or front, depending on model) access panel of the dryer to expose the heating element housing. The 8318314 thermal cutoff is mounted on or near the heater housing. Photograph the wire connections before disconnecting. Disconnect the wires from the old cutoff and remove the mounting screw(s). Install the new 8318314 cutoff in the same position and reconnect the wires. While the panel is open, this is also the ideal time to test or replace the high-limit thermostat (8557403) — overheat events that blow this fuse often damage that component too. Reassemble the panel, restore power, and run a test heat cycle to confirm normal heat operation. Tools needed: Phillips screwdriver, 1/4" nut driver, multimeter, work gloves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a thermal cutoff, a thermal fuse, and a high-limit thermostat?
All three are safety components in a dryer's heating circuit but they serve different roles. The high-limit thermostat (such as 8557403 or 3391914) is a resettable safety switch — it opens when the air gets too hot, then closes again automatically once it cools. The thermal cutoff (8318314, 352°F) is a one-time fuse on the heating element circuit — it blows permanently if the temperature exceeds 352°F, meaning the high-limit thermostat failed to do its job. The thermal fuse (often 3392519) is a separate one-time fuse mounted on the exhaust duct — it blows if exhaust airflow temperature exceeds its rating. Each protects against a different failure mode and is replaced individually when it blows.
Why did my thermal cutoff blow in the first place?
A blown thermal cutoff is almost always the result of restricted airflow through the dryer. The most common causes are: a clogged or kinked exhaust vent line, a clogged lint screen, lint buildup inside the dryer cabinet near the heater housing, or a failed blower wheel/motor that's not moving enough air. Less commonly, a failed high-limit thermostat (stuck closed) can let the dryer overheat until the thermal cutoff blows as a last-resort safety. Before replacing this part, identify and fix the underlying airflow issue — otherwise the new fuse will blow within a short time.
Should I replace the high-limit thermostat at the same time?
Yes, it's highly recommended. The thermal cutoff is the second line of defense against overheating — for it to trip, the high-limit thermostat ahead of it likely failed to open at its normal cycling temperature, was stressed by the overheat event, or was already weakened. Replacing the high-limit thermostat (8557403 on many compatible Whirlpool-platform dryers) at the same time is standard practice and ensures both safety components work correctly together. The 279973 kit even bundles a thermal cutoff with a high-limit thermostat for this reason.
Can the thermal cutoff be reset like a circuit breaker?
No — the 8318314 is a one-time thermal fuse. Once it opens at 352°F, it permanently breaks the electrical circuit and cannot be reset. Some appliance components (like a high-limit thermostat) can reset automatically as they cool, but a thermal cutoff fuse is a single-use safety device by design. If your dryer suddenly stopped heating and a continuity test on this fuse shows an open circuit, it must be replaced.
Is this an OEM or aftermarket part?
This is an aftermarket replacement part built to OEM-equivalent quality standards. It is not a genuine Whirlpool OEM part, but is manufactured from metal and ceramic with the same 352°F trip temperature, dimensions (1-1/4"L x 1-1/4"W x 2-3/16"H), and mounting hole spacing (1-5/8" center to center) as the original 8318314 thermal cutoff fuse.
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