Service Manual

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Troubleshooting
The most common cause for improper electric water heater operation can be linked to heating
element failure.
When troubleshooting an electric water heater with the incidence of “No Hot Water” or “Insufficient Amount of
Hot Water,” it is always a good idea to check the heating elements first, following the procedure on page 15.
Common Heating Element Failures Are:
1. Dry Firing: Elements may be partially submerged in water or most likely, completely exposed with no
water in the tank at all. In open air, an energized element (Dry Fired) will become completely
inoperable within seconds. In some case
s, sediment or lime build-up around an element can
eventually cause an air pocket, resulting in a dry fired element. When element replacement is
required, be sure the tank is full of water prior to energizing the water heater.
2. Grounded Element: In most cases, an element with a short circuit to ground will cause the circuit
breaker in the service panel to open or shut off. In some cases, there may not be enough current draw
for the circuit breaker to open. This will allow the heating element to be in continuous operation
resulting in overheated water, limited only by the High-Limit (ECO) located in the control circuit.
Repeated actuation of the High-Limit usuall
y is the result of a grounded heating element.
3. Sediment Build Up: Slow hot water recovery can usually be traced back to sediment or lime build up
around heating element. Sediment build-up can cause a dry fired element over time.
If a heating element is found to be inoperative, it must be replaced. Follow service procedure ACE-IX on page 23.
The illustration below shows a common “Screw-In” type heating element identifying certain features commonly
referred to throughout this manual.
Typical Direct Immersion “Screw-In”
Type Heating Element
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