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.

Checking heating element water heater.

If it does not have a. The lower thermostat has only two terminals. Each of a hot water heater s elements has 2 electrical wires running to screws that hold the element in place. Place the remaining probe against the metal base attached to the element where it enters the water heater.

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

Locate the water valve at the bottom of the water heater. Disconnect the water heater from power source. The reading on the multimeter should be zero. Turn off the breaker switch to the hot water heater at the breaker box.

This is important especially as open and grounded heating elements result in inaccurate tests. Leave the upper thermostat in the lowest setting and test the lower thermostat. The element is bad and must be replaced if the needle on the face of the multimeter moves. If it has a disconnectable plug unplug it.

Use the screwdriver to set the lower thermostat to the highest setting. All the tests that you will perform will be done with the power turned off. Remove the rectangular shaped cover plate running up the front of the heater to get access the. This is so whether testing upper or lower heating element.

How to check heating elements in hot water heaters. Wait for the. Touch one probe of the multimeter to each terminal on the lower thermostat. Drain the water from the water heater.

If the heater is an electric unit. Testing a water heater heating element 1. Choose which heater element you d like to test first. How to check a heating element in a water heater step 1.

Determine which of the two heating elements in your water heater could be the problem by turning on the water at. Disconnect the electrical wires at the heating element terminals.