My Rheem hot water tank blew the breaker I opened the wall in closet where the tank is could smell burning took cover off and the outer insulation was wet inner closer to the wires was dry and burnt

Hi Topcat

It sounds like the water heater needs to be replaced. How old is it?

Here, since water is present you got to figure the water heater is shot, but you never know... could be a leaker at the element, right?

Shut off the power and then CONFIRM power is off using an electrical tester, and then inspect the wires and the seal at the element itself. If the element seal is leaking then you will need to drain the heater and replace the element, right?

Back to you...

Mark

There were no leaks no water in the jacket just slight amount of dampness neighbor said we had a water main break and chances are seeing that the water inlet was on the bottom that the water most likely drained and the element dry fired I ended up replacing tank it was from 1997