Checking Heating Element Water Heater

If you want to test a thermostat on an electric water heater you will also need to check the heating element.

Checking heating element water heater.

Testing a water heater heating element 1. If the heater is an electric unit. Remove 1 wire it doesn t matter which one by finding its loose end and unraveling it from around the metal element. To look for faults you will need to use a screwdriver.

This is so whether testing upper or lower heating element. If it has a disconnectable plug unplug it. Attach a garden hose. If it does not have a.

All the tests that you will perform will be done with the power turned off. Use the screwdriver to set the lower thermostat to the highest setting. Determine which of the two heating elements in your water heater could be the problem by turning on the water at. The reading on the multimeter should be zero.

This is important especially as open and grounded heating elements result in inaccurate tests. Choose which heater element you d like to test first. Locate the water valve at the bottom of the water heater. You will also need to check the water heater thermostat with digital multimeter tools.

Wait for the. Disconnect the water heater from power source. Turn off the breaker switch to the hot water heater at the breaker box. The lower thermostat has only two terminals.

Touch one probe of the multimeter to each terminal on the lower thermostat. The element is bad and must be replaced if the needle on the face of the multimeter moves. Drain the water from the water heater. Remove the rectangular shaped cover plate running up the front of the heater to get access the.

Each of a hot water heater s elements has 2 electrical wires running to screws that hold the element in place. Disconnect the electrical wires at the heating element terminals. How to check a heating element in a water heater step 1. If the water heater is hot run hot water in the building with the water heater electrical power off until water flows lukewarm or colder.

Leave the upper thermostat in the lowest setting and test the lower thermostat. How to check heating elements in hot water heaters.