Are you wondering about how to test water heater thermostat? No more worries, you have arrived at the right place. The thermostats are tested using a multimeter, a standard electrician’s equipment. Once you’ve figured out which thermostat is broken, you may replace it and get the water heater up and running again.
Two thermostats regulate two distinct heating elements in an electric water heater, one in the top half of the tank and the other in the bottom half. Turn off the electricity.
Its accessible panels, insulator, and rubber protective coating will be removed subsequently. After that, you’ll connect one of your electronic multimeter’s probes to the bottom iron. Then, using the second probe, contact each one of the thermostat connections and the connectors of both heating elements. At all times, the multimeter will display “0” or “no volts.” This shows no electricity to the machine, and you may proceed with your heater thermostat test. Keep in touch to learn more!
How Does A Thermostat Works?
An electrical heater usually offers three significant functions. First, heating coils, a thermostat, and a trigger are included to keep the machine from overheating. You may use a thermostat to create warm water for various reasons. For example, the amount of heat necessary for washing may differ from that required for bathing.
It also regulates the flow of electricity towards the heating element and thermostat. Electric water heater with a tank capacity of approximately Thirty gallons contains three heating components, each with a thermostat. The central thermostat is located on the top, along with a high limit control. On the other hand, the bottom one monitors any changes in the water temperature. The characteristics of both thermostats are different. They don’t even collaborate at the exact moment. Its upper switch is located where the higher thermostat is.
Also, it includes a switch that disables it, particularly when the water temperature exceeds 150°F. Please press this button to return it to its default settings. When configuring the thermostats on a heater, ensure both thermostats are set to the same temperature. Instead, users can reduce the temperature of the higher element, enabling the decreased one to operate first. Continue to reading to learn more about how to test water heater thermostat!
Well, anyway, you may also want to read this article on how thermostats work.
Steps To Test Water Heater Thermostat
If you plan to test your water heater thermostat, you need to know how to test it; for this purpose, read the below-mentioned steps to test it quickly.
Step #1. Check the terminals
Begin by inspecting the terminals, then search for any power source. An essential point to note when taking measures is to keep your electricity on until the process is completed. This should give you a readout of 240v on all terminals if it’s operating correctly. Control the power supply and the current’s maximum limit if you don’t get any readings or get a lower reading.
Step#2. Stop the lower thermostat
You must now turn off the lowest thermostat. This means you’ll have to turn the slider down to the lowest setting. After that, you’ll need to increase the temperature on the thermostat. This can help you pinpoint the root of the conflict.
Step #3. Connect the terminal prongs
To acquire the information, connect the prong to the thermostat’s terminal 1. Then, check that the other prongs of the multimeter are correctly connected to the heat source. The measurements will begin promptly but without interruption whenever the power source is turned on. If the values are about 240 V, the thermostat receives sufficient power. Next, alter the prongs’ placements to the second terminal and verify the results again. The values on both terminals should be identical. Otherwise, it’s a defective component.
It was now time to look at the lower thermostat. First, turn the dial on the central thermostat to the lowest temperature setting feasible. Set the bottom thermostat’s setting to the highest setting feasible. Connect the prong on terminal one and second to the red wire on the bottom heating element once you’re done. You’ll receive an instant readout if the electricity is switched on. To say that the thermostat is operating correctly, it should be about 240 volts.
Set the thermostat to terminal 2 after changing the position. If you discover any comparable readings, the gadget should be good. If you can’t locate any deflection, you’ll have to replace the thermostats simultaneously. Because you’ve already removed the wires, repairing and changing a broken thermostat is simple. Some are locked in place by a simple screw, whereas others are held in place by a silicone tab which you may remove with your fingertips.
It’s A Wrap!
We are delighted to know that you have learned about how to test water heater thermostats; if you think your thermostat is not working correctly, firstly you need to test it with the help of this article, and if you find it faulty, you need to replace it. Thank you, friends, for sticking with us!
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