water heater

[lend]

having a problem with a water heater it keeps tripping the breaker in the electric panel.

leonard durden

[LazyPup]

The most common cause of an electric water heater tripping the breaker is a burned out heating element.

To test the element you will need a VOM testor(volt, ohm, milliameter) and a phillips screwdriver.

Water heaters use 220v AC and have many exposed electical contacts inside the service covers, so before you begin, MAKE SURE THE BREAKER IS TURNED OFF.

Small electric heater up to about 15gal only have one heating element and service panel. Larger heaters will have two or more.

Begin at the lower service panel. Remove the cover and visually inspect the wiring looking for burned wires.

With your VOM set on AC Volts touch one probe a probe to each screw on the heating element to insure there is no voltage present. (meter should read zero).

Disconect the wires from the heating element and fold them out of the way.

Set the meter one the lowest RESISTANCE SCALE (the meter may have the omega symbol for ohms,,looks like a curly upside down U)

Touch one probe on each of the electrical contact screws on the element.

If the meter shows continuity (meter moves full scale) the element is shorted out (change the element)

If the meter shows zero ohms the element is burned out (change the element).

If the meter shows a low resistance, typically 10 to 15 ohms, the element is good.

Touch one probe of the meter to one of the element mount bolts, then touch the other probe to one of the element electrical contact screws. If the meter shows zero its okay. If you get a reading, the element is internally shorted (change the element.)

If the lower element tests okay replace the wires, then remove the cover on the upper element and repeat the tests.

If you need to change an element you will need to first drain the tank.

Turn the cold water shutoff valve off and open the tank drain valve to drain the tank. (It is best to open a hot water faucett to vent air into the tank to aid in draining.)

There are two methods of mounting water heater elements. Most of them have a flat square flange with four mount bolts as in the attached illustration. When the tank is drained, remove the bolts and pull the element straight out. There is a rubber gasket behind the flange. Be sure not to loose the gasket. (Some new elements come with a new gasket, if so, discard the one on the tank and install the new gasket.)

Some elements are round and screw into the tank. To remove them you will need a mechanics socket wrench or a water heater element wrench. Be very careful when removing screw in elements as it is easy for the wrench to slip off and it will cause your hand to slip against the sharp sheet metal edges of the tank cover.

Before buying a replacement element check the manufacturers data plate on the water heater carefully. The replacement heating element MUST BE exactly matched to both the voltage and wattage rating for the tank.

To install the new element simply reverse the removal procedure.

When the new element is installed make close the tank drain valve, open the cold water inlet valve and keep a hot water faucett open to vent out the excess air. Make sure you have a full flow of water at the hot water faucett before you turn the breaker on.

Immersion type water heater elements are a water cooled device. The must be fully immersed in water (full tank) before turning the breaker on or instant failure will occur.

[lend]

Had to call plumber could'nt get element out which was bad. Tried everything went to nome depot to get special tool, It would not budge. Put pliers onthe element wd40 spray tapped it with a hammer nothing. Thanks for the help. Lenny

leonard durden