My electric hot water heater gets the water scolding hot then trips the reset button. i tried changing the upper thermostat. didnt fix the problem anybody got some advice.

Why Does My Electric Water Heater Reset Button Keep Tripping? So the red reset button on your electric water heater keeps popping out and needing to be reset.
Here's the most likely problem: The water in your water heater is getting too hot.
When the water temperature in your water heater exceeds 180°, the red reset button (also known as the high-limit switch) trips. This tripping protects you from getting scalded or burned when using hot water in your home.
OK, but then what's causing the water in your water heater to get so hot? The most likely cause is a bad thermostat.
How a bad thermostat causes your water heater reset button to trip Electric water heaters have a lower and upper thermostat-one for each heating element.
The thermostats are responsible for controlling the heating elements. When the water has cooled off, the thermostats kick on the heating elements to heat the water. And once the water has reached your desired temperature, the thermostats shut off the heating element.
(This is very similar to the way your heating and air conditioning thermostat controls your home HVAC system.)
But these thermostats can go bad. When they do, they sometimes get stuck in the "on" position. This means that that the heating element continues to heat your water, eventually causing the high-limit switch to trip.
The fix: The bad thermostat needs to be replaced. A plumber can use a multimeter to test the thermostats and find out which one is bad.
Other problems that can cause your high-limit switch to trip While a bad thermostat is the most common reason your water heater's reset button may trip, it's not the only one. Other common causes include:

• A shorted heating element-It may be that the thermostat is working just fine and shutting off the heating element. But a short in the element is causing it to continue to heat your water.
• Loose wiring-A loose wire in the water heater can generate heat that can cause the high-limit switch to trip.
• Bad high-limit switch-The switch itself may be malfunctioning and tripping when it shouldn't be.

Get a professional plumber's help

Do you live in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and need a reliable plumber to help you troubleshoot your water heater problem? Contact MSP Plumbing. We can usually fix the problem the same day.

Replace upper and lower thermostats: there is no reliable test that can exclude a sticking thermostat.
Take photo of wiring before starting.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html

If problem continues, then replace elements.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-water-heater-element.html

http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

Gene
Water Heater Timers Save Money

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Two-element water heater is 240Volts.
No hot water means: ECO reset button tripped, upper element bad, upper thermostat bad, or 240Volts is not reaching water heater.
Circuit breaker can be delivering power on one leg of the 240V circuit, so water heater appears to have electricity but is only receiving 120V.
Test for 240volts across top two screws on upper thermostat.
Look for loose wires and burned connections.
Push in reset button real hard.
Replace both upper and lower thermostats.
Remove wires and test upper element for continuity.

Open following links for do-it-yourself troubleshoot walk-thru:
http://waterheatertimer.org/B220C.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-water-heater.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/Test-electricity-to-water-heater.html

You have electric water heater.
You have top and bottom panel, so water heater is 240Volt.
No hot water because ECO reset button tripped.
Water heater works correctly when reset button is reset, so electric power and circuit breaker are good. Water heater wiring is probably good.

Problem is most likely bad thermostat.
I usually replace both upper and lower thermostats.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html

If problems continue after replacing thermostats, then test and replace elements.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-water-heater.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-clean-sediment-out-of-electric-water-heater.html

Check 240 circuit breaker.
Open top cover on water heater and push in ECO red reset button.
If reset button will not reset, then replace thermostat.
If reset is not tripped out, then either upper thermostat is bad, upper element is bad, or water heater might be getting 120V instead of 240V.
If you have some hot water, then best suspect is lower element.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-water-heater.html

Upvote the help.
And take advantage of fixya expert assistance live.
For a price, expert works with you while you work on water heater or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

Open following links to get started.
If water heater has NO hot water, then best suspect is ECO reset button tripped on upper thermostat. Open upper cover and push in red reset button. If reset keeps tripping, I usually replace both upper and lower thermostat.

If water heater has some hot water, then upper element is good so test lower element.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-water-heater-element.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

Add a comment for more help

Upvote the help.
And take advantage of fixya expert assistance live.
For a price, expert works with you while you work on water heater or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

Suddenly no hot water: Red reset button tripped, circuit breaker tripped, bad upper element, bad thermostat, loose wire, TP valve is running hot water out of tank, leaking faucet is running hot water out of tank.

1) Check for leaks.
2) Check circuit breaker.
3) Open top cover on water heater and push in red reset button.
If reset is popped out and will not reset, replace thermostat:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html
4) Test upper element:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html
5) Loose wire
Do full troubleshoot:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-water-heater.html

Add a comment for more free help.
Also take advantage of fixya phone service.
For a price, expert speaks with you over phone while you work on water heater or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

Hi,

Yes, the reset probably is tripped...push in the red button hard
Then turn it on and try it...

Check out this tip..

How to replace the Thermostat and Element for Electric Hot Water Heater

heatman101

You posted under Marathon electric heater.
If you have tankless or tank-type gas heater, information below does not apply.

Absence of hot water say upper element is not working.
1) This can be caused by tripped reset button located on upper thermostat. Open upper cover and push in reset button. Put ear against tank to hear bubbly fizzing sound. Put insulation and cover back over thermostat. Continue reading information below because reset button trips when thermostats are bad or element is shorted.
2) Upper thermostat is bad. Replace upper thermostat. I usually replace both upper and lower thermostats.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html
3) Electricity going to water heater from breaker box is interrupted.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Test-electricity-to-water-heater.html
4) Upper element is bad. Test element. Replace element if needed.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-water-heater-element.html

5) Add a comment for more free help.

6) Also take advantage of fixya phone service.
For a price, expert speaks with you over phone while you work on heater or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

Electric water heater can be repaired by homeowner.

Four things can cause NO hot water:
1) ECO red reset button tripped. Remove top cover on water heater, push red reset button on thermostat. Put insulation and cover back over thermostat.
2) Circuit breaker is tripped, circuit breaker bad, or wire loose in breaker box. Turn breaker on-off and listen for crackling or fizzing sound, and burned smell. Test breaker for 220Volts. Test top two screws on upper thermostat to see if water heater has electricity.
3) Bad upper thermostat. Replace upper thermostat.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html
4) Bad upper element. Test upper element.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html