Page 221 - 12558 Drexler Builder Binder.pdf

TROUBLESHOOTING

WARNING! Working near an • Identify the two power wires. The Check the top two screws of
energized circuit can result in severe power wires are usually black/black 3 the upper thermostat using a
injury or death from electrical shock. or black/red—the green or copper non-contact circuit tester and
wire is the ground wire.

WARNING! When you are nished, conrm that power is o (screw

be sure all covers are secured to re- terminals 1 and 3 in photo on next

duce the risk of re and electric shock. page).
No Hot Water • With the electrical power o , remove
the two power wires from the upper
The most likely reasons for an electric wa- Figure 21 - Use a non-contact circuit hea ng element.
ter heater to produce NO hot water are:
tester to check for electrical power.
• No electric power—a common • Turn the circuit breaker back on
problem with new installations (or install the fuses) and check the
power on both incoming power
• Burned out upper element (Dry wires using a non-contact circuit
Fired) — a common problem with tester.
new installations
• Turn the power off and replace the
• Tripped Energy Cut Off (red button cover on the electrical junction box.
on upper thermostat)
If the water heater is not ge ng
• The water heater’s inlet and outlet

connections are reversed (usually power, contact a qualied person to
only in new installations) have your home’s wiring or circuit Figure 22 - Use a multimeter to check
breakers checked. the resistance of the upper heating
• Broken upper thermostat (or wiring) element.
Check the upper hea ng
• A leak in the hot water side of the 2 element. If the water heater is 4 Check the resistance of the
plumbing system that exceeds the ge ng electrical power, check upper hea ng element using
water heater’s heating capacity and to see if the upper hea ng element has a mul meter. Measure the
makes it appear that the water heat- burned out. If the upper element is resistance between the two screw
er is producing little to no hot water terminals on the upper hea ng
burned out, you’ll have no hot water. element. A good element will have a
Follow these steps to diagnose and To check the upper element, you’ll resistance ranging between 5 and 25
TROUBLESHOOTING problem with the home’s electrical • Turn the power OFF at the circuit Outside this range. Replace the ele-
need a mul meter capable of reading
correct common electrical problems:
Ohms. If the resistance is:
resistance.
Check the electric power to
1
the water heater. No hot
ment (see the Rou ne Maintenance
breaker or remove fuses.
water is o en caused by a
sec on on page 21). On a new water
• Remove the upper access panel.
heater, a burned out upper hea ng
wiring or circuit breakers. You’ll need a
element is almost always caused by
• Remove the insulation to access
non-contact circuit tester. Follow these
turning the power on before the tank
the upper thermostat and heating
guidelines:
(See Step 8 in the Installa on sec on.)
• Locate the water heater’s circuit
breaker and turn it off (or remove
Within this range. Rea ach the power
the circuit’s fuses). element. was completely full of water (Dry Fire).
wires, making sure the wires are in
• Locate the electrical junction box good condi on and the connec ons
on top of the water heater and are clean and ght. Next, check the
remove the cover. following:

18 • Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide