Use and Care & Installation Guide

26 • Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide
TROUBLESHOOTING
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 wa-
ter heater to produce NO hot water are:
• No electric power—a common prob-
lem with new installa ons
• Burned out upper element
• Tripped Energy Cut Off (red bu on
on electronic thermostat)
• The water heater’s inlet and outlet
connec ons are reversed (usually
only in new installa ons)
• Broken electronic thermostat (or wiring)
• A leak in the hot water side of the
plumbing system that exceeds the
water heater’s hea ng capacity and
makes it appear that the water heater
is producing li le to no hot water
Follow these steps to diagnose and
correct 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. Follow these
guidelines:
• Locate the water heater’s circuit
breaker and turn it off (or remove the
circuit’s fuses).
• Locate the electrical junc on box on
top of the water heater and remove
the cover.
• Iden fy the two power wires. The
power wires are usually black/black
or black/red—the green or copper
wire is the ground wire.
• 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 junc on box.
If the water heater is not ge ng
power, contact a qualifi ed person to
have your home’s wiring or circuit
breakers checked.
TROUBLESHOOTING