Troubleshooting

 

Electric Water Heaters  |   Gas Water Heaters

This guide is not intended for end users. Don't risk!
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COMMON PROBLEMS FOR ELECTRIC MODELS
Continuous operation.
Thermostat failure.
Smoking Wire.
Service wire charred or hot.
Blown fuse/circuit breaker cut-out.
Element failure.
Excessive relief valve operation.		 Singing elements.
Singing thermostats.
Condensation.
Drip from relief valve.
Wet insulation.
Tank bulged, reversed heads.

 

Continuous operation  

Cause

 Remedy
Undersized heater. Replace with larger heater.
Elements too small. Replace with higher watt element. Check with utility.
Thermostat not in contact with tank. Position properly.
Be sure it is not interfering with thermostat.
Thermostat/element installed wrong. Cover thermostat/element with insulation.
Thermostat set too Low. Turn knob to desired temperature.
Improper calibration. Replace thermostat.
Faulty thermostat. Replace.
Faulty hi limit (ECO). Replace.

Thermostat failure 

Cause

 Remedy
No power. Check fuses/circuit breakers, replace/reset.
Loose wiring connection. Locate, clean carefully, reconnect properly.
Lightning. Inspect/replace fuse, heater elements and thermostat.
Power surge. Inspect/replace fuse, heater elements and thermostat.
Low voltage. Check utility for correction.
High voltage. Check utility for correction.
Short Locate short circuit and correct.

Smoking wire 

Cause

 Remedy
Lightning. Inspect/replace fuse, heater elements and thermostat.
Power surge Inspect/replace fuse, heater elements and thermostat.
Low voltage. Check utility for correction.
High voltage. Check utility for correction.
Short. Check utility for correction.
Undersize service wire. Check with utility.

Service wire charred or hot 

Cause

 Remedy
Wrong wiring connections. Correct according to manufacturer's instructions.
Poor ground Install proper ground. See grounding instructions.
Lightning. Inspect/replace fuse, heater elements and thermostat.
Power surge. Inspect/replace fuse, heater elements and thermostat.
High voltage. Check utility for correction.
Short. Locate short circuit and correct.
Undersize service wiring. Check with utility.

Blown fuse/circuit breaker cut-out

Cause

 Remedy
No power. Check fuses/circuit breakers, replace/reset.
Wrong wiring connection. Correct according to manufacturer's instructions.
Loose wiring connection. Locate, clean carefully, reconnect properly.
lightning. Inspect/replace fuse, heater elements and thermostat.
Power surge. Inspect/replace fuse, heater elements and thermostat.
High voltage Check utility for correction.
Short. Locate short circuit and correct.
Undersize service wiring. Check with utility.

Element failure

Cause

 Remedy
Wrong wiring connections. Correct according to manufacturer's instructions.
Loose wiring connections. Locate, clean carefully, reconnect properly.
Lightning. Inspect/replace fuse, heater elements and thermostat.
Power surge. Inspect/replace fuse, heater elements and thermostat.
Low voltage. Check utility for correction.
High voltage. Check utility for correction.
Short. Locate short circuit and correct.

Excessive relief valve operation

Cause

 Remedy
Excessive water pressure. Install proper reducing valve.
Surge from washer solenoid Valve. Install blind pipe air cushion.
Improper calibration. Replace thermostat.
Faulty thermostat. Replace.

Signing elements

Cause

 Remedy
Lime formation on elements. Clean elements, replace if necessary.
Damage from electrolysis. Install dielectric unions bushings.

Signing thermostat

Cause

 Remedy
Thermostat not flush with tank. Position properly. Be sure insulation covers thermostat.
Loose wiring connection. Locate, clean carefully, reconnect properly.

Condensation

Cause

 Remedy
Leaks around heating elements. Tighten, clean and smooth face to tank flange and gasket.
Insulation improperly replaced. Adjust insulation to original factory condition.

Drip from relief valve

Cause

 Remedy
Sediment or lime in tank. Check to see if water treatment is necessary.
Surge from washer solenoid valve. Install blind pipe air cushion.
Improper calibration. Replace thermostat.
Faulty thermostat. Replace.

Wet insulation

Cause

 Remedy
Leaking faucets/nipples. Locate and correct.
Leaks around heat trap (see plumbing). Remove. Apply pipe dope and reinstall.
Leaks around heating elements Tighten, clean and smooth face to tank flange and gasket.

Tank bulged, reversed heads

Cause

 Remedy
No relief valve. Install proper relief valve.
Excessive water pressure. Install proper pressure relief valve.
Surge from water solenoid valve. Install blind pipe air cushion.
Check valve in water line. Install proper pressure relief valve.
Pressure reducing valve installed. Install temperature and pressure relief valve.
Faulty thermostat. Replace.

 

 

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