Installation Guide

16 • Electric Mini Tank Water Heater
WARNING! Working near an energized
circuit can result in severe injury or death
from electrical shock.
WARNING! When you are fi nished, be
sure all covers are secured to reduce the
risk of fi re and electric shock.
No Hot Water
The most likely reasons for an electric water
heater to produce NO hot water are:
• No electric power—a common problem
with new installations
• Burned out element (Dry Fired) — a
common problem with new installa-
tions
• The water heater’s inlet and outlet con-
nections are reversed (usually only in
new installations)
• Broken thermostat (or wiring)
• A leak in the hot water side of the plumb-
ing system that exceeds the water heat-
er’s heating capacity and makes it appear
that the water heater is producing little
to no hot water
Follow these steps to diagnose and cor-
rect common electrical problems:
1
Check the electric power to the
water heater. No hot water is
o en caused by a problem with
the home’s electrical wiring or circuit
breakers. You’ll need a non-contact circuit
tester. For six (6) gallon water heaters,
follow these guidelines:
• Locate the water heater’s circuit break-
er and turn it off (or remove the cir-
cuit’s fuses).
• Drain the water heater (see “Drain the
Water Heater” section).
• Locate the electrical junction box on
the botton of the water heater and
remove the cover.
• Identify the two power wires. The
power wires are usually black/white or
black/red—the green or copper wire is
the ground wire.
Figure 20 - Use a non-contact circuit tester
to check for electrical power.
• Turn the circuit breaker back on (or
install the fuses) and check the power
on both incoming power wires using a
non-contact circuit tester.
• Turn the power off and replace the
cover on the electrical junction box.
For 2.5 and 4 gallon models, check the
water heaters circuit breaker for a tripped
breaker. If it has been tripped, turn it back
on. If the water heater is not ge ng power,
contact a qualifi ed person to have your
home’s wiring or circuit breakers checked.
2
Check the hea ng element. If the
water heater is ge ng electrical
power, check to see if the hea ng
element has burned out. If the element is
burned out, you’ll have no hot water. To
check the element, you’ll need a mul me-
ter capable of reading resistance.
• For 6 gallon models, turn the power
OFF at the circuit breaker or remove
fuses. For models with a power cord,
unplug the unit.
• Drain the water heater (see “Drain the
Water Heater” section).
• Remove the access panel.
• With the electrical power off , remove
the two power wires from the hea ng
element.
Wires are
detached
Figure 21 - Use a multimeter to check the
resistance of the heating element.
3
Check the resistance of the
hea ng element using a mul me-
ter. Measure the resistance
between the two push terminals on the
hea ng element. A good element will have
a resistance ranging between 5 and 25
Ohms. If the resistance is:
Outside this range. Replace the element
(see the Rou ne Maintenance sec on
on page 20). On a new water heater,
a burned out hea ng element is almost
always caused by turning the power on be-
fore the tank was completely full of water
(Dry Fire). (See Step 8 in the Installa on
sec on.)
Within this range. Rea ach the power
wires, making sure the wires are in good
condi on and the connec ons are clean
and  ght.
TROUBLESHOOTING
TROUBLESHOOTING