I have a 40 gallon state select water heater.There is a red reset switch undernieth the top access panel I have had to reset this several times in the last week.Why?

Does the water get unusaully hot at times? If so, odds are you have a bad thermostat, either the top or bottom. I would suggest replacing both thermostats, as they are fairly cheap and easy to replace.

MGD may prove to be right but I am leaning more toward an electrical issue. Has the pressure/temperture valve ever opened?

Hi Coghlan...

Have you worked on electrical systems before? Do you have an electrical tester that tests for continuity or for ohms?

Let me know and we can help isolate this to a specific part, OK?

Mark

I'm with MGD. If water gets too hot one of the thermostats is defective. If water does not get too hot then upper thermostat is defective (high limit switch portion).


Item 22 is a upper thermostat with a high limit temperature switch not an electrical over load switch..

Hi guys...

Actually, a grounded element is the usual suspect whenever the temperature becomes "excessively hot" and/or the high limit reset switch has to be pushed to reactivate the thermostat. In fact, the upper thermostat usually only needs to be replaced if the high limit reset button doesn't reset the power.

I'm figuring Coghlan needs to replace the upper or lower element. Of course, electrical tests are needed to confirm... ;)

Have a good day!

Mark

That's what I suspect. Shorting

Exactly!