Please make this test and fix it. God bless you
An electric water heater is a 240-volt appliance that can deliver a fatal shock. Always turn off power to the heater at the electric panel before
beginning work, and verify that power has been shut off. Make sure
others in the house know not to restore electricity prematurely. If you
have any doubt as to whether electricity has been turned off, seek
professional assistance.
Troubleshoot a thermostat:
- Shut off power to the heater at the electric panel and post a sign warning others not to turn it on.
- Unscrew and remove the electric water heater access panel.
- Using a small screwdriver, turn the thermostat dial counterclockwise
to lower the temperature, or clockwise to raise it. If the water heater
doesn't maintain the proper temperature, test the thermostat.
- Disconnect one wire to the upper thermostat to test it. Set a Multimeter to RX1 (resistance times 1) and touch a probe to the thermostat
terminals as indicated in the owner's manual. Depending on the model and
the terminals tested, the tester should show infinity ( open) or about 0 ( closed).
- Test the lower thermostat in the same manner.
- If necessary, replace the thermostat. Unscrew it from its mounting
and install one of the same model, size, and rating. Once you install
it, adjust the thermostat following instructions in your owner's manual.
Test and replace a heating element:
-
Turn off power at the electric panel and post a sign warning others not to turn it on.
-
Remove the access panel on the electric water heater.
-
Disconnect one of the element wires and set a multimeter to
RX1000 (resistance times 1,000). Touch one probe to an element mounting
bolt and the other to each element terminal screw, in turn. If the
tester displays anything but infinity ( open circuit), replace the element.
-
If necessary, set the multimeter to RX1
and touch the probes to the terminal screws. If there is any resistance
reading at all ( closed circuit), then the element is good. If not, replace it. Both upper and lower elements are tested in the same manner.
-
To remove the element, first drain the heater.
-
Disconnect the remaining element wire. Remove the mounting bolts holding the element in place. Remove the element.
-
Replace the heating element with one of the same model, shape, and rating. Make sure you also replace any installation gaskets.
Test and replace a high-limit cutoff:
- Disconnect power to the heater at the electric panel and post a sign warning others not to turn it on.
- Remove the upper access panel and push the reset button.
- Replace the access panel and turn the power back on. If the water is
hot, the reset was the problem. If not, you'll need to turn the power
off again and reopen the access panel.
- Use a multimeter to test the cutoff terminals for continuity. If faulty, replace with an exact replacement part.
Drain a tank:
- Shut off power at the electric panel and post a sign warning others not to turn it on.
- Close the cold-water supply valve and open a hot-water faucet somewhere in the house (to speed draining).
- Attach a garden hose to the drain valve and run it outside the house.
- Open the drain valve and allow all water to drain out.
- To refill the tank, close the drain valve tightly and open the
cold-water supply valve. Also open a nearby hot-water faucet. When a
steady stream of water flows from that faucet, the tank is full and the
faucet can be closed.
- Once the tank is full, turn the electrical power back on.
Test and replace a relief valve:
- Lift the spring lever on the valve to fill a small cup. Check the cup for sediment.
- If no water spurts out, or if water continues to drip after the valve is released, replace the valve.
- Cut power at the electric panel and post a sign warning others not to turn it on. Close the cold-water supply valve.
- Drain a few gallons of water from the tank.
- Unscrew and remove the discharge pipe if used.
- Loosen the relief valve with a pipe wrench, then remove the valve by hand.
- Apply pipe tape to the threads of the replacement valve and screw it
into the tank by hand. Tighten it with a pipe wrench. Screw the
discharge pipe (if any) into the valve outlet.
- Refill the water heater and restore electrical power.
Replace a drain valve:
- Shut off power at the electric panel and post a sign warning others not to turn it on.
- Close the cold-water supply valve and drain the water heater completely (see above).
- Unscrew the drain valve with a pipe wrench.
- Replace the drain valve with an identical unit wrapping the end with pipe tape.
- Refill the tank and restore electricity.
×