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redljone
Mar 29, 2009, 06:54 PM
The overload switch keeps tripping on my hot water heater I have checked both elements and they appear to be good does anybody have any suggestions to what my problem is.

Thanks

Flying Blue Eagle
Mar 29, 2009, 07:45 PM
Redijones-question _- how did you check out the heating elements?? And you will also need to check out the thermostats:: to do this right on both checkouts you will need a { volt-ohm meter : if you need to i can lead you through the steps for testing them out < if you don't have a volt-ohm meter <you can get them t lowe's or home depot<in the electrical dept <for about $10.00 ,get one that you could test at least 250 volts a/c power::
Waiting your reply< have a good day and god bless::f.b.e.

redljone
Mar 30, 2009, 02:38 AM
Thank you very much for your response. Yes I ohmed out the elements and both of them read .008, but I have not done anything to the thermostat I don't know what to check on the thermostat.

Thanks

Flying Blue Eagle
Mar 30, 2009, 09:38 PM
redijone - here is a step by step way to test all the other posible causes::
#1- to test the upper thermostat and high temperiture cutoff:: #1a- turn off all power to the tank at the circuit breaker> i always cut to full off then put duct tape over the breaker <so no one coukld turn it back on <safty first}{ #2}_ remove both of the covers from where the thermostats and heating elements are< set the (volt-ohm meter to the 250volts a/c scale:clip the meter probs to the screws in the most upper top above the red button;; of the high temp cut off is ;; {#3}- turn the power on {just long enough to do this one test} if the voltage is not within 10% of the rated value on the identi. Plate[ call the power co :: example -on the plate it will probably have 120volts,208volts,240 volts} turn the power back off<remove the volt ohm meter<push reset button back in:: {#4}- the rest of the tests will be with power off:: set the volt ohm meter to the rx1scale;; on the high temp thermostat -clip the meter probs to screws #! And #2 -get reading then touch them to screws #3 and#4- if meter needle does not move toward the zeroin both tests -replace the cut off{note
before removeing any wires <draw a wire color code to where wires go back to ::}{#5]- remove wires from the heating element <turn screws back in
touch the probs to screws #1 & #2- on the upper thermostat< if the water in the tank is ( cold ) the meter needle should swing toward the{ zero} if it don't
replace the thermostat<:: {#6}- clip meter probs to the screws #3 & #4<; on
upper thermostat< if water in the tank ,the needle should remain on the (side ways-( 8)<if water is hot needle may swing toward the zero} if it does turn the thermostat to a higher seting until you hear the { click} and meter needle swings back to the ( 8 ) laying on its side} if not -replace thermostat<:: put thermostat back to its normal temp setting,; {#7}- clip the meter probs to the screws on the heating element(wires removed) any meter reading,means element is good:: {#8}- note -at this point it can be lying to you :if the element has the slighest hole in it <there will be water inside the element and you will get a false reading } so clip one prob to a element screw and the other probe touch it to the metal of the tank -if you now get a reading <the element is blown <replace:: {#9}_ repeat the same tests for the bottom as you did on the top< thermostat and element:: ( note there is more then one thing that will pop the red button: lighting< power surge <a short > the top temp> cutoff < due to to hot of water temp> :: i hope this helps you out <if my answers have <please rate my answers below:: have a better day tiomorrow and god bless ::f.b.e.