Checking Heating Element Water Heater

Each of a hot water heater s elements has 2 electrical wires running to screws that hold the element in place.

Checking heating element water heater.

Turn off the circuit breaker supplying power to the hot water heater. All the tests that you will perform will be done with the power turned off. Disconnect the electrical wires at the heating element terminals. This is so whether testing upper or lower heating element.

If the heater is an electric unit. This is important especially as open and grounded heating elements result in inaccurate tests. Attach a garden hose. If you want to test a thermostat on an electric water heater you will also need to check the heating element.

The lower thermostat has only two terminals. If it has a disconnectable plug unplug it. Remove 1 wire it doesn t matter which one by finding its loose end and unraveling it from around the metal element. 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.

Use the screwdriver to set the lower thermostat to the highest setting. Leave the upper thermostat in the lowest setting and test the lower thermostat. Touch one probe of the multimeter to each terminal on the lower thermostat. Remove the rectangular shaped cover plate running up the front of the heater to get access the.

Drain the water from the water heater. How to check heating elements in hot water heaters. Disconnect the water heater from power source. Turn off the breaker switch to the hot water heater at the breaker box.

How to check a heating element in a water heater step 1. Wait for the. Take 1 of the wires off of a water heater element. Place the remaining probe against the metal base attached to the element where it enters the water heater.

The reading on the multimeter should be zero. The element is bad and must be replaced if the needle on the face of the multimeter moves. Choose which heater element you d like to test first. Testing a water heater heating element 1.

Locate the water valve at the bottom of the water heater. Determine which of the two heating elements in your water heater could be the problem by turning on the water at.