Test Heating Element Hot Water Heater

If it has a disconnectable plug unplug it.

Test heating element hot water heater.

Hold the multimeter prongs to the element screws to test for flow. If the water starts off cold it could be the upper element but if it starts off warm and turns cold it could be the lower element. Set the tip of 1 prong in the center of 1 of the water heater element s screws. If you want to test a thermostat on an electric water heater you will also need to check the heating element.

Place the remaining probe against the metal base attached to the element where it enters the water heater. Cold water enters and remains at the bottom of the water heater. You will also need to check the water heater thermostat with digital multimeter tools. Short hot shower bad bottom water heater element.

Testing hot water heater elements is an easy project that even a beginner can master in a few minutes. You should ideally test the hot water heater during the summer when you won t actually need to switch it on at all. Continue reading below our video of the day step 1 turn off the power. This is important especially as open and grounded heating elements result in inaccurate tests.

Before you start the process of testing the hot water heater heating element you must switch off the flow of electricity by turning off the breaker inside your main electrical panel. Set the body of the multimeter on the ground at the base of the water heater. Testing the water heater element now will ensure that it won t let you down on the coldest days of the year when hot water is not just a luxury but essential. All the tests that you.

So our hot water is plenty hot but we run out in just a few minutes. Likewise take the second prong and hold it to the center of the water heater element s second screw. The element is bad and must be replaced if the needle on the face of the multimeter moves. Determine which of the two heating elements in your water heater could be the problem by turning on the water at the faucet and feeling the temperature of the water.

Testing a water heater heating element 1 disconnect the water heater from power source.