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Figure volts amps watts for water heater | 9 Ways to save with a water heater | Do-it-yourself |
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How
to test water
heater element |
 See ohm chart |
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 Tester & continuity tester  |
Choose your tester 
Use ordinary 120V tester & continuity tester-or- Use multimeter  |
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Turn off 30 Amp circuit breaker to 240 Volt heater Turn off 20 Amp circuit breaker to 110 Volt heater Voltage and wattage printed on water heater label. Take photo of label for your records. |
 See basic water heater circuit |
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Which
element do you test? If water heater is able to make some hot water, then bottom element is main suspect. If top element burned out, water heater will not heat any water. For complete water heater troubleshoot read |
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Test
for electricity before removing wires:
120V and 240V.
Test Black
to Ground, test Black to White, test White to Ground. If tester light
comes on, electricity is present240V heaters have voltage on element at all times.
240V only. Use regular tester or multimeter set to read 240 AC: Test across both screws & then test each screw to bare metal part of water heater. If light comes on or multimeter needle moves, electricity is present. |
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Take wires off element Move wires out of way |
 Larger image |
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Test
element
Continuity tester Test 1: Touch continuity tester to both screws, > If no light comes on, then replace element see how > If light comes on, then conduct Test 2 and 3. Test 2: Touch continuity tester to one screw and then touch bare metal part of water heater. Repeat test with second screw. > If light comes on or flickers or is dim, then replace element. Test 3: Touch continuity tester to one screw and then touch metal base of element. Repeat test with second screw. > If light comes on or flickers or is dim, then replace element. Good element: Test 1: Light comes on Test 2: No light, no flicker Test 3: No light, no flicker |
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Test
element
Set multimeter to read ohms Test 1: Test across both element screws and resistance should read about 12.8 Ohms for 240-Volt 4500-Watt element. For 30 gallon tank with 3500-Watt elements, reading is about 16.4 Ohms. See ohm chart Test 2: Test each screw to bare metal part of water heater. If multimeter reads any Ohms at all, or if needle moves even tiny bit, then element is shorted and needs replacement see how Test 3: Test screws to metal base of element. If multimeter reads any Ohms at all, or if needle moves even tiny bit, then element is shorted and needs replacement Good element: Test 1: Element shows correct ohm reading Test 2: No reading on multimeter Test 3: No reading on multimeter |
E-mail: info@waterheatertimer.org | When
finished, insulation and cover must be reinstalled over element and
thermostat, or thermostat may be exposed to cool air and misread tank
temperature. This will cause overheating of water which might result in
scalding or release of water from TP valve or shut-off of electricity
at upper thermostat ECO (red reset) For water heater troubleshoot read |
