When you check your electric water heater Thermostat, you will notice two thermostats on the unit-one at the top, and one at the bottom. Each of these campaigns controls two diverse heating elements.
If you turn the hot water tap and cold water runs out, then the upper thermostat is spoiled. But if the water is hot that converts later becomes cold, then you have a dented lower thermostat.
However, you will need to know how to test a water heater thermostat to find the defective unit. As soon as you broad this task, you can fix it. Whether you’re using a propane tankless water heater thermostat or any other type, the thermostat works countless to control the temperature. But first, let us see how a thermostat works.
How Does a Thermostat operate?
Usually, an electric water heater has three main features. They contain a heating element, a thermostat, and a shift to avoid the unit from additional heat. You can use a thermostat to harvest heated water to outfit different drives. For instance, the level of heat compulsory for washing might be dissimilar from the one needed for rain. Besides, it controls the present that moves to another thermostat or heating element.
An electric heater with a stowing tank of at least 30 gallons comes with two heating elements with a thermostat on each of them. The thermostat on top actions as the main one while having a high limit switch. But the lower one notices any change in the temperature of the water.
Both thermostats (on the same water heater) do not have the same topographies. They even do not work at the same time.
The high border switch is found on the location as the upper thermostat. It also has a button that breaks it from working, particularly when the water goes above 170F. To restore it to avoidance settings, press this button.
To set the thermostat on a water heater, you will need to regulate both thermostats to alike temperatures. Otherwise, you can adjust the upper element to a lower temperature thereby letting the one underneath trigger first.
For water heaters thermostat that have lesser tanks (a maximum of 30 gallons), a single thermostat and heating component knob temperature control. But they use a high boundary switch like the greater water heaters.
How to Check Water Heater Thermostat
If you want to examine a thermostat on an electric water heater, you will also need to see the heating element. This is significant, particularly as open and beached heating elements result in imprecise tests.
To look for liabilities, you will need to use a screwdriver. You will also need to check the water heater thermostat with digital multimeter tools. Now let us get ongoing with the following steps on how to test a water heater with a multimeter.
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Move to the thermostat depots and check if it is supplied with control. If it is, you will have an analysis of 240V on terminals 1 and 3. But if there is no evaluation, check its power source. Also, check for current on the high edge switch.
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Restrict the lower thermostat by rotating its knob to the least setting. Next, turn up the temperature of the higher thermostat to look for liabilities.
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Place the points of the multimeter on terminal 1 and the blue wire of the heating element. This will help you notice if power is complete between the upper heating element and blue wire.
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If the tool reads 240V that means there is power on the setup. Next place the points on terminal 2 and the blue wire of the heating element. But if there are no impressions that means the thermostat is defective.
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Transfer to the lower thermostat on the heater. Modify the dial on the upper thermostat to the minimum setting while you set the other thermostat to the maximum level.
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Head back to terminal 1 and the red wire of the bottom heating element. Place an inquiry on both of them to notice power. If it reads 240V, then there is power in the setup.
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Place the probes on terminal 2 and the red wire of the bottom heating element. If you have no readings, then you will need to switch the thermostat for a new one.
How to Substitute a Defective Thermostat on an Electric Water Heater
Changing the thermostat on an electric water heater is as easy as installing an electric switch. After knowing how to test a thermostat, you can even handle the repairs without emptying the storage tank. However, you must turn off the power supply and check the wires for voltage before anything to prevent possible accidents.
For tremendously hot water, you will need to change both thermostats on your heater. Even if the badly-behaved is caused by a single thermostat, it is suggested you change the two thermostats meanwhile they are inexpensive. Before altering the current thermostat, it is directed that you obtain a new one of the same brand. If you can’t find such an item, look for an appropriate auxiliary from another manufacturer. Remember to add a non-contact power tester and screwdrivers to your list.
Our Water Heater Thermostats Universal
No, all water heater thermostats are not worldwide. There are some alterations in thermostats between single element water heaters and dual element water heaters. Also, in dual-element water heaters, there is a change in the higher and lower thermostats.
When shopping for a water heater thermostat you need to know how many elements the water heater has and the power. You can find this info on the data tag on the side of the water heater.
If the data tag is lost, you can classify single element vs dual-element by the number of admittance panels on the water heater. You can find the voltage printed on the end of the heating element. Common housing dual element water heaters are 240 volts.
There are more than 50 brands of housing tank-style electric water heaters on the market and the thermostats are designed to be interchangeable on most models. You should read the product description sensibly when purchasing.
