Electric water heater

jim lockard

Rob explained correctly how your water heater works. Having power (240 volts ) at the element does not mean the element is heating. If you own a clamp on amp meter thats the easiest way to tell, by the amperage draw. Since you just have a volt meter you can try this. Turn off power at the circuit breaker to the water heater. Confirm power off with meter. At the lower element disconnect the wire that goes for the lower T-stat to the element put a wire nut on it. Restore power with your volt meter read from the element (the screw with the wire coming down from the upper T-stat) to ground (metal tank ok) you should read 120 volts If you do then read the screw where you removed the wire there you should read 120 volts also if not then the element is bad and mus be replaced. Turn off power before reconnecting any wires. Best Wishes J.Lockard

John Fernandez_2

electric water heater

I was only getting a small amount of hot water out of my forty gallon electric water heater. I was told that the lower element was bad, I changed the upper and lower elements, my voltmeter is reading 240 across the upper element contacts but nothing on the lower element contacts, do I have to wait until the upper portion of the water heater is hot before the lower element comes on ?

steve_93

Sounds like the thermostat isn't calling for power. Some have resets on them.

rob brown

water heater

john, that is normal operation. the upper stat switches power to lower stat after it satifies.you should never have power to both elements at the same time.thats on practicly all residential water heaters. rob

hr

Or if

you have an ohm meter (most multi meters are). Turn off the breaker, check the incoming line to make sure you have the correct breaker. Then disconnect both wires from the element and take a resistence reading across the two element connections.

You didn't turn the power on before the tank filled up, after switching the elements, did you? Elements burn out in a few seconds if not in water

Also different brands of water heater thermostats wire differently. The instructions in the box will show which terminials connect to which wire and element.

hot rod

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dann crist_2

also check

the dip tube- even if both elements are doing their job,
a broken dip tube will also prevent you from getting enough hot water.

jim lockard

U Can

Check it with an ohm meter as HR said. A 4500 watt element should read about 17 /18 ohms if memery serves correctly. Be4st Wishes J.Lockard