Table of Contents
Touch a probe on the multitester to each screw on the element. If you get no reading, or a maximum reading, the element is bad. Elements do have some resistance, so a reading of 10-16 ohms is normal, with higher ohm readings for 3,500 watt elements and lower readings for 5,500 watt elements.
What happens when a heating element goes out in a water heater?
If you have an electric water heater, the heating elements inside the tank can break and lead to a loss of hot water. Sometimes, your water will slowly start to cool down and this could be because the element has burned out. If the second element fails, you’ll be left with only cold water.
What happens when a heating element fails?
When an element fails it will usually “open” the electrical circuit and no further heating will take place. When this happens, the element simply appears to have stopped working.In some rare instances the element will “short-out” against the sheath which is the outer visible part of the surface unit.
Will a water heater work with one element?
Yes, a water heater can still run if the bottom element quits. In most water heaters, the top heating element controls the thermostat and will still work even if the bottom element fails. So provided the top heating element is working, it can still produce some hot water even if the bottom heating element fails.
How can you tell if heating element is bad?
Inspect the metal wire coil for any breaks in the wire. If the wire is solid and has no breaks in it, the heating element should be good. If the wire has a break in it, the heating element is defective.
What causes a heating element to burn out?
If the coil gets too hot, it burns out. Among the conditions that can cause elevated temperatures are insufficient airflow in the element compartment, failure of safety devices and a power surge.
What causes electric water heater elements to burn out?
What Causes a Heating Element to Burn Out? Only electric water heaters rely on heating elements to warm up the water in the tank. Heavy gauge wires provide electricity to the components of your unit, so a poor connection between the wires and the water heater could result in the element giving out.
Why would a hot water heater stop heating?
If an electric water heater is not producing hot water, it could be a simple problem like a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker. Other simple solutions include an unplugged or faulty power cord for electric water heaters. For gas water heaters, it could be as straightforward as being out of gas.
How long should a hot water element last?
Age of the Hot Water Heater. A typical gas-powered or electric-powered hot water heater will last 8 to 12 years before needing to be replaced. Tankless and solar hot water heaters can last up to 20 if properly maintained.
How long should a hot water cylinder element last?
Most hot water cylinders have a life expectancy of 8 to 10 years, but can last up to 15 depending on it’s quality. It’s ideal to replace your hot water cylinder if it’s reached its expiration date even if no problems have occurred, so as to avoid any further complications down the road.
Do both heating elements work at the same time in a hot water heater?
Only one element will come on at any one time. This is known as a flip/flop system. On a 240 volt water heater, there will always be 120 volts to both elements. When the tank is full of cold water, the upper thermostat will take priority and heat up the top portion of the water to the setting of the thermostat.
Does the top or bottom element heat first?
If you set them to the same temperature, the bottom element will be the first one on every time, and frequently the only one used to maintain the temperature. If you set the top element too much higher, then it will be used most of the time, and the bottom element acts more as a pre-heater.
Can a heating element partially fail?
No but it could short to ground (its housing) allowing only part of the coil to heat and with only 120 volts instead of the full 240 it should. In such a case it would not usually glow bright red as a properly functioning element would though.
How do you tell if a thermal fuse is blown without a multimeter?
You can use jumper wires to test whether a thermal fuse is faulty if you don’t have a multimeter.Test a Thermal Fuse with Jumper Wires Step 1: Remove the Thermal Fuse. Step 2: Disconnect the Thermal Fuse. Step 3: Replace or Reattach the Thermal Fuse.
How many ohms should a heating element read?
Touch the other probe to the other screw attached to the face of the heating element. If the heating element is functioning properly, the multimeter should read between 10 and 30 ohms. If there is a very low reading or zero reading, the heating element isn’t working and must be replaced.
Do water heater elements get weak?
Water heater elements have a limited working life due to the constant processes they undergo to give out hot water. These elements get weakened easily if there are mineral deposits in the water. A good measure you can take is by turning off your water heater and flushing your water heater every year.
How much does a heating element cost for a hot water heater?
A water heater element can cost between $10 and $60 and can be found at most home improvement stores. If you’re comfortable with light electrical work, replacing a water heating element is a DIY task.
