This part is a type of 'fuse' that will 'blow' if the unit overheats. I had 18 months. the old brewer Mr Coffee failed and found that they "exploded". The parts fit together perfectly and even came with a little metal bushing to avoid soldering. Installed them and the coffee maker returned to "Live". meager. Then these parts overheated and exploded again. No malfunction of the parts. Malfunction of the heating element in the coffee maker.