Which tool is best for testing if a heat strip element is functioning?

The most effective tool for testing if a heat strip element is functioning is the continuity tester. This tool is specifically designed to determine whether an electrical path is complete, which is crucial for checking the functionality of heating elements.

When a heat strip element is in working order, it should show continuity, meaning there is a complete electrical circuit allowing current to flow through the element. If the continuity tester indicates no continuity, it suggests that the heating element is either burned out or has a break in the circuit, confirming that it is not functioning.

Other tools have their specific uses but do not directly assess the heating element's operational status in this context. A multimeter can check for voltage and resistance but requires more interpretation of the readings to conclude functionality. An infrared thermometer measures surface temperature and does not evaluate electrical continuity. A voltage tester can indicate whether voltage is present in the circuit but doesn’t confirm the function of the heating element itself. Thus, the continuity tester is the most straightforward and reliable tool to confirm the operational status of a heat strip element.