Are you wondering how to test water heater element? Well, it takes just a few easiest steps to do so. You can test the water heater element by using a multimeter.
Hot water is required for a variety of household tasks in every home. However, it can be aggravating if your water heater only provides lukewarm water that isn’t suitable for the task at hand.
A defective element is among the most common causes of ineffective water heater operation. Professional house electricians can investigate and resolve the problem, but they cost $75 to $250 to hire. As a result, you’ll need to understand how you can test water heater elements and replace the ones that aren’t working. For this checking your elements and utilizing a multimeter are the two phases of testing your water heater element. Let’s move towards the steps!
Steps To Test Water Heater Element
Testing a water heater element is quite an easy task, only if you have a complete understanding of it. Well, stop thinking more about how to test water heater element as below we have discussed everything in depth that assists you in testing the water heater element. Let’s get started!
Step #1. Switch off the breaker
To begin, switch off the breaker that powers your water heater. Electricity must not be connected to the heater for safety reasons. The electric breaker is commonly a metal box mounted on a wall in the basement or laundry room of your home. The breaker you require should be labeled ‘water heater,’ else it will manage and control the room in which the heater is located; be careful to turn it off.
Anyway, here’s how to turn on wall heater in apartment.
Step #2. Loosen the metal plate
Loosen the metal plate from the water heater’s bottom. To take out the plate, you’ll need a screwdriver. The temperature controller and heating elements of the water heater will be visible once it has been removed. Keep the screws you’ve removed in a safe place until you’re ready to reinstall them. The metal cover of some water heaters is insulated with cellulose or fiberglass. You’ll need to remove it and cover the thermostat with a plastic cover. These can be readily removed by loosening the lid with tabs.
I guess it’s helpful to read about when to replace water heater.
Step #3. Check electricity connection
Make sure there’s no electricity in the room before you start your testing. This can be accomplished by connecting the voltage detector’s tip to the thermostat’s wires. There is still voltage if the detector flashes or alarms. Otherwise, the power will be switched off and you will be able to proceed. A non-contact voltage meter can be bought at a repair store or online if you don’t already have one. They usually take the form of a huge plastic pen with a metal hook on top.
The edges of the metal pieces within the open panel must now be identified. Because the elements are frequently some inches within the water heater, you should see only the bottom ends of two metal rods. They’ll be screwed with a little plastic plate. Some heaters may just have one component to identify, based on the scale of your property.
Step #4. Use the multimeter
While using the multimeter to test your water heater element, set it to the lowest ohms resistance level. The tool usually has a dial for this; the lowest setting varies depending on the model. Two electrical wires will flow from each element to the screws that hold it in place. Remove one wire from the metal element by unraveling its loose end.
After that, take the tip of one of the prongs and insert it into the middle of one of the heater element screws. Take the second prong and place it in the center of the second screw on the water heater. There’s no need to be concerned about electrocuting yourself here because the power is turned off! A dial or panel, whether digital or analog, displays the resistance.
The resistance on the gadget should be around 10 and 30 ohms if your element is functioning right. If the needle does not shift or the number 0 appears, the heater element is damaged and must be replaced. If the first heater element is working properly, you can move on to the second heater element. Once you’ve located the broken element, you or your water heater’s manufacturer can replace it.
When you’re finished, tighten the wire around the screw with needle-nose pliers. After that, replace the plastic cover on the temperature sensor and begin reinstalling any insulators and also the metal panel in their original locations. Remember to switch the electricity back on to assure that the water heater, as well as the area it is in, has access to electricity! Reset the breakers to restore electricity; it may take a while for the power to come back on. Depending on the model of your heater, heating the water may take a while.
It’s A Wrap!
We hope that reading this article is just fun for you and after reading it you all will get a better understanding of how to test water heater element. The method of testing your water heater element is not overly complicated. To avoid any injury, make sure the heater, as well as the area it’s in, are both turned off. You’ll use a multimeter to check the components and detect any flaws. If all wires appear to be in good working order but you still have water problems, it’s time to contact the experts!
Here are 8 steps to test water heater element.