Electric Water Heater-Understand How It Works So You Can Troubleshoot Why It’s Not Working Correctly
Вставка
- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- How electric water heater works and some troubleshooting tips.
Troubleshooting tips such as:
1. Do both elements come on at the same time?
2. How to set the water temp?
3. How to determine the resistance of one element?
4. Typical terminal numbers for the upper thermostat and the lower one
5. What is the thermo reset?
6. How is the lower thermostat controlled?
7. Which thermostat has priority? Upper or lower
8. Two ways to determine if the heating element is good or not, with power on and with power off.
If you liked this video, or if it solved your problem, please consider donating a dollar ($1) using the “thanks”. Thank you.
Please view and use the content at your own risk.
Thermostat: These water heaters often have a "non-simultaneous" design, which means only one element is on at any given time. The thermostat has a temperature-sensitive bi-metal disc to deliver snap action to the contacts.
Model # EB11695
Store SKU # 1000042068
Bi-metal thermostat video
• How Does a Bimetal The...
Here's some parts that you may consider, please check the recommended parts for your water heater
1. Rheem SP20060 Electric Water Heater Tune-Up Kit, 2: amzn.to/31sBjTf
Disclaimer: This video and its description contain affiliate links and I receive a small commission
Material presented in this video is based on my own personal experience and it’s not professional advice. Therefore, please view and use the material presented in this video at your own risk.
If you agree or disagree with the content of this video, comments are always welcomed. Please keep them clean and professional.
Thanks!
It is very generous of you. It is very much appreciated.
I’m a trainer, and this guy is an excellent teacher. The use of visual illustrations and the way he explains everything is above and beyond. Best video on this subject that I have seen by far. 👍🏾
Thank you for the kind words. It is my pleasure to provide these videos. If you are not a subscriber, please consider becoming one. If you are, thank you for your support
Same thing for me too ! Excellent explanation !! 👍👍👍👍👍👍
This guy is awesome. His explanation covers every aspect of a water heaters electrical function in a clear, concise, comprehensive way. Beautifully done!
Thank you.
HANDS DOWN the best instructional video on the web. Watched so many others trying to understand why the lower element was not registering 240v. Your video showed in great detail how everything operates. The hot mock-up was the icing on the cake. KUDOS!
Maynerd Krebbs Thank you for your comments. I am glad that you found the video helpful.
Maynerd Krebbs Thank you for your comments.
I watched half a dozen videos to fix my water heater. Your video was the best by far!
Finally someone who actually tells it ALL and CLEARLY. Sir, you deserve a million THANKS !!!!
peter mailbox Thank you for the kind words.
Actually
This gentleman would make a great instructor.
The diagram was to the point and void of mystery.
Excellent explanation!!! 👍🏻
Thank you.
I was looking at the question & answer section of water tank thermostats on Home Depot, Lowes and Amazon. I was amazed by the number of people that get this information wrong. There were 'pro', 'top reviewer' comments that stated with certainty that both 4500W elements came on at the same time for a 30 Amp breaker. Your explanation was clear and thorough and proves that you do not need fancy graphics to give a detailed presentation.
Thank you for the feedback.
This was by far the most comprehensive explanation in detail that I’ve seen. It Helped me figure out what was wrong with my water heater and got it fixed. Simple, short and straight to the point. Awesome job.
Thank you for your feedback. Much appreciated.
Genius setup and teaching techniques. Not many people would have the confidence to use self drawings. Very competent. Very well done.
Thank you.
Good teacher 😊 lovelace
@@JustForYouDiy @
@@JustForYouDiy por cvqzBz
@@JustForYouDiy por cvqzBzs
Wow! Excellent and this comment comes from a retired instructor!! We definitely owe you a beer or two! Thanks for the video!
Joseph Stokes Thank you for the kind words.
Great explanation. I always wondered how the H2O heater had 3500 & 4500W heating elements yet had 12 gauge internal wiring. I had always assumed both elements ran at the same time. I did not know it switched between them. Very cool, thank you very much.
Thank you very much for the kind words.
for someone like me who doesn't know much about heaters- this guy really nailed it; giving me a good basic understanding about electric water heaters. thank you very much for posting this video.
Thank you for the comments. Please share the link with others. Much appreciated.
Best explanation & Illustration that I have ever seen......You made it so simple that the average Joe could understand it..Bravo and thank you
Thank you very much.
I thought I'd wired my ancient water heater like it was wired before I replaced the elements and switches. This excellent video helped me go back and fix what was wrong. Super clear, easy to follow. Saved me hundreds of dollars. Thank you for this!
Glad it helped
Wow. Excellent explanation. I couldn’t figure why my heater was drawing 40 amps and tripping breaker. Turns out both elements were drawing at the same time. Didn’t realize they were not suppose to till watching this. Thank you. You saved me a lot of time and aggravation.
Excellent video.. very well explained. Thanks so much
Thank you.
That was the best explanation I’ve ever heard about hot water thermostats. Great job.
Thank you very much.
It is the best instruction video ever most of people can understand the logic!
Jay Kim Thank you Jay.
Best explanation video in UA-cam. I appreciate all the time you took to create diagrams and a circuit to explain it perfectly. Thanks
E F Thank you.
One of best video I have watched on this channel. Organized, clearly stated, easy to understand. It addressed all my questions I needed answered. Great job.
Thank you very much.
I have to agree this is the best instructional video I have seen on UA-cam
Thank you.
The best video I've ever seen .... is this...
I can't believe this information is free
The best explanation of a water heater I have seen!
My top element is out, now I know why the bottom one wont come on, too cold!
With this knowledge, I can get a shower before I go to town, thank you!
Thank you.
Best water heater video on UA-cam. Thanks for your effort. You are a very good teacher.
Thank you.
Very well explained especially about both elements are not on at the same time. You did a great job taking your time to show all scenarios that can take place to cause problems. Many THANKS!!
Thank you Mitch. If you haven’t subscribed to my channel, please do so. If you have, much appreciated and keep watching as I will post new videos that you may find helpful.
ou went above and beyond! The paper folded in three steps was fantastic, but bringing out the low voltage demo? That was the ultimate mic drop. I’m so impressed with this demo and hope it gains even more recognition over time because it was incredibly helpful for me. The only part I’m still a bit unclear on is how to properly test the element, but I’ll rewatch it when I’m not so tired. Great job!
I appreciate your kind words! It's one of my favorite demos too. The element testing process is covered in more detail in the second part of this series.
Best way to check water heater’s heating elements & thermostats. And, cycle between the elements.
ua-cam.com/video/-Gjc2WW-mCY/v-deo.html
Thank you so much for this amazing, comprehensive video. I’m a plumber, and I have a hard time understanding vague descriptions on how things work. So I’ve always struggled with electric water heater repairs. Always left unsure if I was replacing the right parts. The elements were always an easy ohms test but as a whole system you just made everything thing click. Thank you!
My pleasure. I’m glad that you found the video helpful.
It’s been year since I have worked on a electric HWH i forgot only one element works at a time. Thank you for your video.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Randy Kemnitz I am glad to have helped.
I’m an amateur and still learning. This seems like an excellent explanation with information I can really use. Thank you so much.
My pleasure. Thank you for your feedback.
Thank you for this video. I know absolutely nothing about hot water heaters. You saved me time and money. Thank you.
My pleasure.
❤The most detailed explanation of electric water and trouble shooting. Thank you!
Thank you.
Had no idea the elements worked alternately. Definitely was worth watching this.
Thank you.
Great video! I had checked out my mom-in-law's H2O heater, and figured out the bottom thermostat was bad, but wanted to make sure I was reading the situation right, i.e. The lower stat should be calling for heat once the upper was satisfied. Your video confirmed everything AND your drawings are awesome. Thanks!
Glad it helped!
I'm quite impressed with de didactical resources of the maker of this video.
the technical information is meticulously precise and even the tone of voice and the length of the video makes it by far the best instructional presentation. Extremely helpful and easy to understand for the very beginners or the advance technicians.
" Well done "
Thank you.
I have been in instrument, electrical and controls for many years. This video lesson is spot on! Very good job on this short class on water heater temperature controls system!
Thank you for the kind words. Much appreciated.
Best water heater explanation video on UA-cam, great job.
This is the most comprehensive and best explained with diagrams
Thank you very much for the positive feedback.
You must teach somewhere. I have been looking at so many videos, and whilst I must give the posters credit for even trying, in the end I am often confused.
You have made everything quite clear Sir. Thank you
Thank you Trevor for the kind words. I’m glad you found the video helpful.
@@JustForYouDiy just so you know. I reconnected everything determined to go back the following day (today) to start over, and what do you know, the water heater started working again. Perhaps because I had pushed the reset button who knows. Do you care to hazard a guess as to what happened altogether? And thanks for responding Sir.
Trevor, That definitely could be one of the reasons. If possible, I would suggest getting some voltage and amperage readings while it is working to check against theoretical numbers.
@@JustForYouDiy thank you again. I will try that
You present this like a computer information systems Professor from a System Analysis and Design course!! I absolutely love your video. Made everything suddenly make sense. I wasted so much time watching all those other videos. THANK YOU!!
Arial Robison Thank you for the kind words.
Sadly my electrician (my Dad) passed away and now I depend on UA-cam.
Great explanation...on how things work.
I salute you !!! Thank you
So sorry for your loss. I know the pain.
Thank you so much for this illustration! I never knew that only one element is powered at any given time. After replacing the upper Hi-Limit Thermostat, and turning the power back on I wasn't reading any voltage at the lower element but was at the upper element. Once the upper element got up to temp, the lower element got power and the upper element voltage went to zero. Your video explained the situation so well that any novice can understand. I also used a lighter to test the old thermostat and it would never close contacts for the lower element, so I believe it was defective.
My pleasure. Thank you for watching and if you find it worthy, please give the video a thumbs up and subscribe to my channel. Much appreciated.
Most useful advise. You put my mind at ease after seeing the video. Didn't realize both elements are not working at the same time. Only getting around 240v at the top element and 0 at the bottom element. I tested and got around 13.3 ohms on the top and bottom elements. Going to recheck after an hour or 2 to make sure the bottom elements is powered up and working.
Thank you.
This should be on top of search results! Thanks for this!
Thank you very much.
I completely understand Electric Water Heater Controls now thanks to this video!
Thank you for the feedback.
Damn! I just finished repairing my electric water heater. But this is very useful information. My lower heating element was corroded and broken. It had zero resistance on the meter.
Thank you.
@@JustForYouDiyThanks again. This morning the circuit breaker tripped again. But we had hot water all night long. I found a loose connection at the circuit breaker on the sub-panel. I turned the screw about 2 turns. Hopefully, this fixes the last of the problems.
thank you for teaching me how the electric water heater works.When I know how it works,I can troubleshoot and repair it.You are my awesome teacher
Still helpful. Thank you for this simple education for layman on how water heaters work electrically 🙂
My pleasure. Thank you for watching and if you find it worthy, please give the video a thumbs up.
This is *the* best explanation I've heard for water heaters. Thanks!
RonOnYourLeft Retired Thank you.
This is why I love UA-cam… great video, thanks a lot for sharing.
My pleasure.
Thank you so much just installed new elements in my water heater and wasn't getting power to the lower thermostat. Your video perfectly explained to my amateur brain what's happening and why
Glad to hear the video was helpful. Thank you for sharing.
I was also stumped why I wasn’t getting power to the bottom heating element. Now I know. Thank you so much for the information.
YES! Thank You for the intelligent explanation! So many UA-cam videos are such a waste of time now. Please continue publishing!
My pleasure.
Brilliant mock-up and information on the wiring and logic of a water heater. thank you
Thank you.
Best explanation I’ve seen on UA-cam. Good job with the diagrams and explanation of power.
Thank you very much for the positive feedback.
Very well explained. I needed to go back and do a refresher course and this was very easy to undetstand. Thank you!
Thank you,nice that you made a drawing with different colors for identifying parts.The simulation of how it works was great too!
Excellent description of the circuit, now I can repair the water heater. Thank you.
My pleasure.
Thanks!
My pleasure.
Excellent video!!! Your delivery is excellent and the content is spot on!!! Thanks so much for sharing your expertise and electrical knowledge!!!
Thank you. My pleasure.
Excellent instruction, using color coding and basic logic. I appreciate your low voltage example of your mock up training aid. great effort! Thanks
Very good teaching, diagrams are awesome for my learning style.
Thank you.
Awesome! My brother is going into the trade and this was perfect to supplement his learning.
Thank you. Best wishes to your brother.
Thank you for such a detailed and clear explanation. A lot of effort to draw up the schematic diagrams and made up a prototype for excellent explanation.
Thank you for the kind words. Very much appreciated. Please share the video with friends and family.
Thank you for this explanation. This was easy to understand and now I'm going back to test my heater circuit.
My pleasure. Thank you for watching and if you find it worthy, please give the video a thumbs up and subscribe to my channel. Much appreciated.
That was the best laid out video I’ve seen on this topic. Thanks. Very instructive
Thank you SO MUCH. Very clear and super informative. Now I understand what going on with our heater and confident to go fix it myself. Great explanation!
Thanks for the pic also!! Very important to understand the system!!
I always watch videos like this to see how other electricians think, this lesson reminded me of school, very detailed and to the point. Our instructor was “so” detail specific much like this gentleman. Great lesson, awesome instructor.
kenneth duffield Thank you.
This was a pure delight to watch. Thank you.
Thank you.
If the video helped you, please support us by using super thanks.
Simply.... You are an excellent 'teacher'!
Thank you.
Thanks Very much! Great overview with simple but highly effective graphics and much appreciate the test rig with heating demo - Really drives the functionality home. I didn't realize that only one element would be on at a time, but it makes complete sense, since the current draw would be too much if you had them on at the same time.
Glad it was helpful!
The very best instructional video on the web!!
Thank you.
Still great today. Thankyou, you helped me figure out how to adapt this thermostat for a quite different hot water heater. That;'s a really nice explanation.
Thank you for your feedback.
Excellent explanation. This is what UA-cam is for. Thanks my friend. 👍
My pleasure. Thank you for your feedback.
Excellent video and demonstration thank you! I had no idea it wasn't possible to energize both elements at the same time.
Thank you for the compliment.
Great job that was the easiest breakdown I have seen for diagram and could I could easily understood
Thank you.
That was great. I have watched so many videos about this and all of them piss me off and leave me more confused. This was on point. My only question is, what is that reset button used for? I have seen others speak about it and it has been said different for so many things. I wish someone on the internet had a clear and concise video on multi meter testing. I have watched so many, and they are awful. They don't give proper illustrations, slow down, or ramble and not give clear viewpoints on what they are testing or why and in what setting is it practical. All while videoing choppy video. It is really frustrating. This video and the intent from the start was on point, thank you.
Thank you. Regards your question, the reset button is a safety device that shuts off power to your water heater when the water temperature inside it exceeds 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
@@JustForYouDiy how is it used in a regular setting? Some vids seem to use it to reset your WH like it was some fluke to begin with.
If everything is working correctly, it should not trip. Some of the conditions that will make it trip are:
1. Faulty upper module
2. Thermostats set too high
3. Faulty thermostat
Mine tripped for none of those reasons. Replaced them today
Works great thankfully.
Both had resistance on each element but both original elements seals were leaking. Decided to just replace them. I also lowered the thermostat. What are the usually supposed to be set at? Mine was about 140 top and roughly same bottom. I thought that was too high. I put it at 125 and I still feel its hotter than I'll ever use. Can you explain or show me how I would test the thermostats properly? The vids online are terrible.
thanks for teaching how the water heater thermostat works ! great.
My pleasure.
If you liked this video, or it solved your problem, please consider donating a dollar ($1) using the “super thanks”. Your donation will go a long way towards content production. Thank you.
Excellent instruction! I had to subscribe because this was so Informative!!! I just installed a new "Rh" and could not figure out why the lower element had no power. thank you!!!!
My pleasure. Glad to help.
Thank You for your EXCELLENT-down to earth explanation!!!
My pleasure.
Thank you, that was a very simple explanation of how it works.
Excellent explanation Sir. I just fixed our hot water heater by replacing the heating elements. I didnt know much about them but thanks to video's like yours it was fairly straight forward. Thanks again and take care.
Excellent instructional video! The only thing I felt was missing was showing how to test the thermostats for continuity. I tested the elements and they appear to be good as the buzzer went off on my meter. Now trying to test the thermostats.
Well done. Direct and to the point, accurate and informative. thank you.
You’ve done a great job with this video. Thank you
gamelover420 Thank you for your kind words.
Thanks a lot. This is the best explanation and easy understanding. The color drawings are very helpful
My pleasure. Thank you for your feedback.
Very well done step by step explanation on how the system works.
Thank you Philip.
Please consider subscribing to my channel as I post videos frequently with topics/products that you may find helpful. Thanks again, Farshid
I was very confused -- then I watched this. Now I understand. I thank you.
Glad it helped.
Top notch video, best I've ever seen on the subject.
Thank you for the kind words. It is my pleasure to provide these videos. If you are not a subscriber, please consider becoming one. If you are, thank you for your support
I like how you share different means of testing. This is helping me for my plumbing lab exam, so thank you!
Thank you for your feedback. Much appreciated.
Excellent explanation....very useful to novice and experienced plumber....
Kaushik Patel Thank you.
Thank you for making this video. Got my water heater working again. Much appreciated.
Thank you for the feedback. Happy to hear the video was helpful.
Thank you sir, helped me figure out my water heater, not all heroes wear capes!!
My pleasure.
This video is the best i ever saw. Well explained
Thank you. Please share it with others.
Outstanding video! You went above and beyond and it is much appreciated.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Please take my comments in the positive vein intended. You are an awesome and detailed instructor! Great discussion; great information; great diagrams; great mock-up. Great instructor yet I'd remove the word "Troubleshoot" from your title.
The novice in electrical will not know what to test when even though the electrically educated will have all they need.
Troubleshooting tips for the novice maybe should include step by step of what part to test when and with what equipment. Examples: 1. Water heater seems to "run out of hot water" too soon -- What is first to be checked? (Likely easy first step may be to disconnect wires from element and test resistance. 2. If both elements are good, what is next to test? 3. When is necessary to check the modules/thermostats? etc, etc.
If this video, or a separate video, included similar steps as exampled above (of course, in appropriate detail), the video would be of greater value to a greater number of folks.
Keep it up. Looking forward to more!
Thank you very much for taking the time to provide your feedback. Great suggestion. Much appreciated.
Excellent video. Beautiful illustration.
Thank you.
You explained this very well the best that I’ve seen
Thank you.
Best video my guy 💁🏻♂️
I like the 5 v ser up to show work. Well done!!
Thank you.