Water Heater Upper Element

Whirlpool water heater thermostat.

Water heater upper element.

Whirlpool water heater tune up kit. For pricing and availability. When an electric hot water heater s elements short out or burn through cool water is the result. Touch one meter lead to the top screw and the other lead to the metal body of the water heater.

Water heater elements keep electric water heaters in good repair. Typically the lower element goes first but that s not always the case. When a hot water tap is opened somewhere in the house hot water flows up out of the top of the tank and new cold water flows into the bottom of the tank where the lower heating element begins to heat it. In most cases 120 to 125 degrees fahrenheit is a safe and comfortable temperature.

The upper heating element really only contributes when there is a high hot water demand and only serves to heat water in the upper portion of the tank. Repeat the test with the other screw. If it isn t the upper thermostat is not sending power to the lower one. This screw in fold back water heater element is made this screw in fold back water heater element is made of the highest grade nickel and stainless steel and heats in lime and sand buildup that would burn out ordinary elements.

Copper sheathed zinc plated elements ahelp minimize galvanization that can limit service life while nickel based alloy sheath water heater elements are suited for areas with extremely hard water and high sulfur and lime content. The upper and lower thermostats connect to the back side of the heating elements with wires. How a water heater element works a designated thermostat controls each element. Whirlpool water heater parts.

When power is initially turned on to the unit the upper element is energized and heats the water in the upper third of the tank see figure 1. For pricing and availability. You set the water temperature by adjusting the thermostat. Fortunately a few.

The upper thermostat turns the heating element off when the water inside the tank is fully heated. Most heating elements are screw in types that can be twisted into an opening in the water tank. The reading should be between 110 and 120 volts.