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How to test water heater thermostats Gas and Electric |
 How to replace TP valve Leaking water heater |
Large volume hot water released
sporadically from TP
valve Malfunctioning thermostat is only cause Applies to gas and electric water heaters 1) How to Replace electric water heater thermostats How to replace electric water heater thermostats 2) How to Replace gas control valve thermostat How to replace gas control thermostat How to replace water heater gas control valve thermostat Troubleshoot by type of gas control valve |
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Gas water heater thermostats Troubleshoot by type of Gas water heater thermostats |
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 How to replace gas control |
 Troubleshoot by type of Gas water heater thermostats |
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Thermostat
located inside copper tube ECO energy cut off will trip if water inside tank exceeds 170 F. ECO is usually single-use and gas control must be replaced How to test ECO White-Rodgers and Robert Shaw Intellivent gas control ECO can be resetIf water temperatures fluctuate at tap, then Gas control can be bad -or- there is plumbing problem  Check
temperature at tank drain valve and TP valve and compare with
temperature at tapAdjust temperature at tank Crossover: single handle faucet has bad cartridge and other causes Stacking: serveal short water draws cause very hot water How to replace gas control How to replace gas control |
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Test
Electric water heater thermostats Testing does not reveal sticking and calibration issues!!! For the tradesman, and person wanting a sure-fix, it's better to repace thermostats How to replace water heater thermostats Never touch WET water heater until power is OFF Leaking water heater |
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Avoid
electrocution/ Tape multimeter leads to wood Stand on dry boards Do not touch metal Wear dry clothes Do not touch wet water heater Wear insulated gloves Do not hold metal object in mouth Do not lean into anything made of metal |
Electricity
is ON during tests below Testing thermostats as shown below will not reveal sticking and calibration problems. It is easier to replace both thermostats. Resources How to replace water heater thermostats How to test elements Buy: Multimeters at Amazon Buy non-contact voltage tester at Amazon Electric testers at Amazon |
| EZ repair | If
you are NOT comfortable working with live electricity, then turn off
power and use EZ repair EZ electric water heater repair will fix 95% of problems: Turn power OFF Check for leaks. Inspect for loose wires and burning. Push reset button located upper thermostat. Check circuit breaker. Test both elements. Replace both thermostats. Clean sediment out of tank Replace anode rod More information and causes: How to troubleshoot electric water heater |
| Skilled repair brief | If you are safe working with electricity, then use
skilled water heater repair Power is ON. Absolute electrocution danger. Call plumber or electrician. Read brief pdf |
| Test electric thermostats: Step by step with illustrations | |
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Tests
below show if water heater thermostats are working. However thermostat can pass tests below and still be out-of-calibration and not reading correct temperature And sticking thermostat can become temporarily un-stuck during test, and appear to function correctly. It is easier to replace both thermostats and start fresh How to replace water heater thermostats Step 1: Start with cool or cold tank Turn water heater off for a while Let overheated tank cool Run hot water tap, so cold water fills bottom of tank |
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STEP
2: Power is OFF/ Inspect water heater parts Open covers on water heater: remove insulation and plastic protectors. Before testing: Turn power off and inspect parts. Inspect for wetness and rusting. Leaking water heater Inspect for burned and melted wires. replace part with melted wire and Test wire Check if thermostats sit flat against tank wall Check that all screws are tight against copper wire Resources How to replace thermostat How to test element How to replace element Troubleshoot electric water heater |
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Resources How thermostats work Off peak thermostats and timers How to wire thermostats |
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STEP
3: Turn power ON/ Test for 240Volt: 1) Test across top two screws on upper thermostat: Should read 240Volts. Test each top screw to bare metal part of tank. Test should read 120 volts. 2) If test on top two screws of thermostat does not show correct voltage: Test connections at top of tank: Test across red and black wires: should read 240Volts. Test Black to bare ground: should read 120Volts Test Red to bare ground: should read 120Volts See basic water heater circuit Reinstall wire connectors, and put cover back over wires. All connections need to be covered: Wire connector basics - If tank is not receiving 240 volts: Test electricity to water heater  Action #2: Test for 240Volt at top of tank |
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STEP
4: Push ECO firmly Make sure ECO is engaged. If ECO is out and will not reset, then Upper thermostat is bad. Replace upper thermostat ECO is heat sensitive, and trips when sensing temperatures above 150-180 degrees. This can be caused by cracked element. Test elements Or trips when thermostat is bad. Or trips when loose wire causes overheating at thermostat. Check for loose wires. Replace any burned and melted parts. Or trips when wire gauge is too small for element wattage, causing heat that trips ECO. This happens when replacement element has greater wattage than shows on label on side of tank. Compare rating label with wattage rating printed on end of each element. Or trips when wire has partially melted, and wire can no longer carry element wattage, causing heat that trips ECO. This happens if water heater leak caused short. Or if circuit breaker tripped. Or if water heater had a fire. Replace wires. |
| Larger image Step 5: Test if ECO is functioning  1) Test L1 to L4 = reads 240Volts. If no volts, and ECO is not tripped, then upper thermostat is bad. 2) Test L3 to T2, will read 240Volts (if water inside tank is cold, and power was just turned ON) Test L3 to T4, will read 0 Volts One must be 240V and the other 0V If L3-T2 test and L3-T4 test both read 0 Volts, or if both read 240 Volts, then upper thermostat is bad. |
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STEP
6: If water heater is NOT receiving 240Volts, then test water heater
breaker and circuit. Test 240volt circuit to water heater from circuit breaker |
| Review: Water inside tank is cool or cold. Water heater has 240Volts present at upper thermostat Water heater is regular-ordinary residential water heater that is wired for non-simultaneous operation. Read label on side of tank and look for words: Non-simultaneous How electric water heaters work How to wire thermostats Both Elements are receiving 120Volt power to blue and/or red wire. Parts are dry, wqater heater has no water leaks, there are no melted wires or parts and no burn smell is present Thermostats and elements were covered with insulation when tank-covers were removed. Covers and insulation must be put back when finished. |
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Step
7: Upper element: Test if blue wire has power This test is for typical non-simultaneous residential water heater Blue wire on upper element should have live power at all times Set multimeter to read volts AC. Test between blue wire and bare metal part of water heater Should read 120Volt at all times. When element turns ON, then test across both screws for 240Volts. If blue wire shows no voltage, then wire is bad or upper thermostat is bad. Action: Test wire Replace upper thermostat |
Larger image of typical 240Volt non-simultaneous residental water heater If your wiring is different: Wire thermostats |
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Step
8: Lower element: Test if red wire has power (Some water heaters have blue and yellow at lower element) Red wire on lower element should have live power at all times. Set multimeter to read volts AC. Test between red wire and bare metal part of water heater Should read 120Volt at all times. When element turns ON, then test across both screws for 240Volts. If red wire shows no voltage, then wire is bad or upper thermostat is bad. Action: Test wire Replace upper thermostat |
 Turn upper themostat UP to max |
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 Upper element |
Step
10: Test for 240V at upper element Set multimeter to read volts AC 1) Test across both element screws for 240Volts. 2) If upper element tests for 240Volts then upper thermostat is good so far. If element tests for 240Volts across both screws, then that does NOT mean element is good. Element can still be bad. Action: How to test element How to replace element and clean tank |
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 Lower thermostat |
Step
11: Top screw on lower themostat should have NO power when upper
element is ON Lower thermostat has 2 screws: When the upper element is ON, then lower thermost should receive no power on the top screw of lower thermostat. Step 15 below re-tests same screw when upper element is OFF. Set multimeter to read volts AC 1) Test top screw on lower thermostat to bare metal part of water heater 2) If test shows no power, then upper thermostat is good so far. 3) If test shows power on top screw at same time upper element is ON, then tank is not wired for non-simultaneous operation, or upper themostat is bad. Check label on side of tank for words: non-simultaneous Action How to wire thermostats Replace upper thermostat |
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 Turn upper thermostat to minimum |
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Turn lower themostat to maximum |
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 Lower thermostat |
Step
15: Test lower thermostat Lower themostat set to maximum temperature Cold water in bottom of tank. Upper part of tank must be heated above 90 degrees or lowest set point of upper thermostat. Upper thermostat set to miminum temperature. At this point, Lower themostat should be ON. Lower element should be ON. Test each screw on lower thermostat to bare metal part of tank. Each screw should test for 120Volts. If top screw on lower thermostat has no power, then upper themostat is bad or black wire between upper and lower themostats is bad. Action: Test wire If top screw has power, but bottom screw has no power, then lower themostat is bad. Action: Replace lower thermostat |
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 Lower element |
Step
16: Test for 240V at lower element Set multimeter to read volts AC 1) Test across both screws on lower element for 240Volts. 2) If element is supposed to be ON, but does not test for 240V, then lower thermostat is bad, or wire between lower themostat and element is bad. Action: Test wire Replace lower thermostat If element tests for 240Volts across both screws, then that does NOT mean element is good. Element can still be bad. Action: How to test element How to replace element and clean tank |
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| Written steps | |
 See larger |
Start
with cold or cool water in
tank. Overheated tank must be cool
<> run hot tap so cold water enters tank. Electricity is ON. Power is ON means risk of electrocution which can be sudden, or can take a moment or two, and will include anyone who grabs a hold of you. Have your spouse knock you loose from wires using a 2x4, and then treat possible stopped heart and 3rd degree burns. If you are not familiar with electricity, or spouse does not want to hit you with a board, then use EZ repair shown above, or call plumber, or electrician. If you want to understand how to test thermostats, then keep reading information below. Set multimeter to read 240 Volts AC. 1) Upper thermostat: Test across L1 to L3 should read 240Volts unless water heater not receiving 240V. How to test water heater circuit 2) Test L1 to L4 should always read 240Volts unless ECO is tripped, or thermostat is bad, or water heater not receiving 240Volts. 3) Next step: change thermostat temperature settings using screwdriver See image: Set upper thermostat to maximum temperature setting. Set lower thermostat to minimum temperature setting. Cool water in tank means upper element will be on How a water heater works 4) Test L3 to T2 should read 240V. This means upper thermostat is sending power to upper element. Then test across both screws on upper element. If element does not show 240V, and you know element is good, then one of the wires between thermostat and element is shorted and needs to be replaced. How to test if element is good 5) While upper element is on, check for electricity going to lower thermostat and element. Test L3 to T4 should read 0-Volts. If L3 to T2 and L3 to T4 both read 240V at same time, then upper thermostat needs to be replaced. How to replace thermostats 6) Reverse thermostat temperature settings: Set upper thermostat to minimum temperature setting. Set lower thermostat to maximum temperature setting. Assuming water in upper part of tank is above 90 degrees: Now L3 to T2 should be 0V and L3 to T4 should read 240V. This means electricity is being sent to lower thermostat and element. 7) Test shows that electricity is being sent to lower element. Cold water is in tank, and lower themostat is at maximum setting, so lower element should be ON. Test across both lower element screws. Test should read 240V. If there is no voltage, then wire from top is shorted and needs to be replaced, or lower thermostat is bad. How to test wire for continuity 8) Test if lower element is receiving electricity from top: Test each screw to bare metal part of water heater should read 120Volts. If both thermostat screws test for power to ground, and testing across lower element screws still does not show 240V, then wire from top of tank is bad and need replacement. If lower element never turns off, then replace lower thermostat. |
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