Checking Heating Element Water Heater

The lower thermostat has only two terminals.

Checking heating element water heater.

Remove 1 wire it doesn t matter which one by finding its loose end and unraveling it from around the metal element. Locate the water valve at the bottom of the water heater. Testing a water heater heating element 1. If it has a disconnectable plug unplug it.

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. How to check heating elements in hot water heaters. Leave the upper thermostat in the lowest setting and test the lower thermostat. If the heater is an electric unit.

Each of a hot water heater s elements has 2 electrical wires running to screws that hold the element in place. The reading on the multimeter should be zero. How to check a heating element in a water heater step 1. This is so whether testing upper or lower heating element.

If you want to test a thermostat on an electric water heater you will also need to check the heating element. Take 1 of the wires off of a water heater element. Disconnect the electrical wires at the heating element terminals. To look for faults you will need to use a screwdriver.

Turn off the circuit breaker supplying power to the hot water heater. Place the remaining probe against the metal base attached to the element where it enters the water heater. This is important especially as open and grounded heating elements result in inaccurate tests. Touch one probe of the multimeter to each terminal on the lower thermostat.

You will also need to check the water heater thermostat with digital multimeter tools. Remove the rectangular shaped cover plate running up the front of the heater to get access the. Drain the water from the water heater. Determine which of the two heating elements in your water heater could be the problem by turning on the water at.

Choose which heater element you d like to test first. Disconnect the water heater from power source. Use the screwdriver to set the lower thermostat to the highest setting. Wait for the.

All the tests that you will perform will be done with the power turned off. Attach a garden hose.