Electric Hot Water Heater Element Resistance

Electric water heaters have one or two elements and each is controlled by a thermostat.

Electric hot water heater element resistance.

Typically the lower element goes first but that s not always the case. Similar to the way in which oven heating elements work the heating elements in a water heater heat up when electrical current passes through them. This article describes how to test electric hot water heater heating elements what readings to expect if using an ohmmeter. This article describes the steps in testing electric hot water heater heating elements followed by a guide to replacing a bad heating element.

Detailed instructions and a gasket are included with each packaged element. In order to find the resistance of the heater element from the above described section we must algebraically modify the formula to read r v a. Electric water heater element test procedure. We can round that number up to 14 ohms.

If the resistance is higher than calculated or it s infinite so the circuit is open you can assume that the heating element has gone bad. Same thing applies to the switch if after setting the switch to the on position the resistance is infinite then it means that the swtich doesn t close the circuit and it s broken. This screw in fold back water heater element is made this screw in fold back water heater element is made of the highest grade nickel and stainless steel and heats in lime and sand buildup that would burn out ordinary elements. Unlike gas water heaters that have gas burners electric water heaters rely on a pair of upper and lower metal heating elements to heat the water.

If the hot water heater is not working one of the thermostats may be bad. Central furnaces incorporating ceramic block are also available although they are not as common as room heaters. This is the most important part of your water heater and it s a good idea to check it s working from time to time. The water heater element is what heats the water up in electric water heaters.

When an electric hot water heater s elements short out or burn through cool water is the result. The element works on exactly the same principle as the element in your kettle. You can test them with the power off using an ohmmeter to measure resistance or with the power on using a voltmeter to measure voltage. Its universal designs allow it to fit most major water heater brands.

When a water heater no longer produces hot water the upper element on a double element water heater. Storing electrically heated hot water in an insulated storage tank is another thermal storage option.