How to Test Electric Water Heater Elements

It's not everyday that you get a chance to do a job of testing home appliances and conduct a repairing procedure for the same! Now why this statement?! Well, let's start with this, have you ever experienced a situation where you wake up one fine morning all prepared to bathe in hot water and bam you just realize your electric water heater is not working. At first it's plainly frustrating. But we need alternatives to this situation, right? An electric water heater is such a device that has a considerable amount of life expectancy, (say of 10-12 years) and surely doesn't cease in a few short years. But one fine day when it does cease down, the prime solution to it is to troubleshoot it, find the possible problems, and finally fix it. If you wish to determine your electric water heater problems, you can conduct this procedure yourself at home. Pick up a few tools, a set of instructions and learn the ways test electric water heater elements cited in your device. Moreover, with this take the electric water heater refurbishment operation would look simple too!

Electric Water Heater

An electric water heater is an essential home appliance that helps to heat and store warm/hot water in the tank which we use for several activities on daily basis. The heater elements present in the device function the same way as the other home appliances do. Speaking of these devices, electric water heaters basically have two thermostats present in them. The first one is situated about the top of the tank and the other one is at the bottom. The thermostat is the main element in the heater that plays a big role in terms of producing electricity which in turn heats the water giving you - hot water. So if at any point of time you are unable to receive hot water from even the best electric hot water heater you own, know mostly it's the thermostat which must have got buggered. Well, there can be other entailing problems too such as a diffused circuit breaker, loose wire connections or broken switches. With all these problems, it's difficult for the heating elements to keep the water warm in the tank.

How to Test the Water Heater Elements

In your first attempt to learn to test the heater elements, remember to gather the basic tools to conduct this procedure. Use a multimeter (in other words a OHM/voltage meter) and use appropriate supplements like glove, eye-glasses and proper shoes so that your body doesn't receive any electrical surges.

→ First step - turn off the main power supply to the electric water heater.

→ Next, use a screwdriver to detach the cover plate present on the side of the tank and then disconnect the two connecting wires which are emerging from the heating elements.

→ Also take a look at the thermostat to check that it hasn't been shifted to reset position or hasn't been tripped on the off chance.

→ Now set the voltmeter to Ohm setting and see the electric flow in between both the screw connectors. That is all you have to do is determine and measure the resistance across the heating elements.

→ Place the probes of the tester on the elements and if the reading is positive, it means the circuit is closed and is all fine.

→ If there is no reading, it means the circuit is open and the element needs to be replaced.

Well, winding up on this simple conclusion discussed above, this was the shortest and the most easiest procedure to test water heater elements on your own. Once you have examined your water heater thoroughly and you believe it does need a hand of repair or replacement, proceed in doing so at your earliest.

P.S.: Make sure you proceed with this entire testing process only when you feel confident and comfortable to deal with electrical issues. Else it's recommended you strictly avoid it, and call in a professional.