There is a cover plate over the electrical junction box located on the top of the tank. This box is full of water.
SOURCE: Water tank has a slow
check all water pipes going in and out.tanks are sealed except for these connections.
Most electric hot water heaters have two thermostats, one near the top of the tank and one near the bottom, and are covered by removable metal cover plates. The thermostats are pressed firmly against the bare metal wall of the hot water heaters tank.
The top thermostat usually has a high limit switch that will trip if the water gets too hot. When it trips it shuts off the electricity to both the upper and lower heating elements.
To reset the high limit switch there is usually a red button that you must press. When the upper limit switch trips it is often an indication that something else has gone wrong with the heater.
When the top of the tank is hot the upper thermostat removes power from the upper heating element and transfers the power to the lower thermostat and heating element. If the lower thermostat is defective, then the lower portion of the tank will not be heated and the supply will be greatly reduced.
Check for power at the upper thermostat terminals where the power is sent to the lower thermostat and heating element. If there is no power then the upper thermostat should be replaced. If there is power then check for power at the lower heating element. If there is no power at the lower heating element then replace the lower thermostat.
If there is power to the lower heating element then it should be getting hot. If it is not, replace it. Another possibility is a broken dip tube. Check for a broken dip tube and replace if necessary.
Hope this helps out
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I am having the same problem with a Rheem 82V52-2 Hot Water Heater that is only 4-1/2 years old. The junction box is full of water, the electrical conduit is soaked, and the hot water heater popped the breaker. The plumber indicates that the problem is NOT from the hot water heater and is indicating the water is coming from the conduit instead. Any input?
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