I have a 4 yr old State Select electric hot water heater that is recently starting to trip the red reset button. Model #es652sort. It is set at the factory setting of 120 degrees. Could this be a thermostat problem and if so, what are the solutions? Thanks and I look forward to your response.

bmason- one of the thermostats is probably the cause of the problem : you can use a volt-ohm meter or you can turn the power off to the tank and remove the wires from the thermostats one at a time : draw out a picture of how and what color wire goes where> take a cigreete lighter or one you use to light a fire with and hold under the back side on the metal part just for a minut<you will hear the thermostat go pop or click: this will be the thermostat shutting off : do it to both of them :: this is a quick way to check to see if they are operating :: if one don't click or go pop itsd defective -replace <take to the store with you so you come home with the right one ; ::: now if you have a volt-ohm meter ,to test the thermostats:: #1-turn the power off to the tank : the meter should read at least 250 volts ac:: set the meter to { rx1 scale, touch the meter clips{probsd} to screws ,# 1&2on the high temp cutoff, then to screws # 3&4,if the needle does not move toward the ( zero 0 in both tests_ replace the thermostat:: #3- remove the wires from the heating element<touch the cliops from the meter to to screws #1&2,on upper thermostat( noteif water in the tank is cold ,the meter needle should swing towards the( zero)
If it does replace the thermostat:: #4- clip probs to screws #3&4 on upper thermostat{if water in the tank is cold
If meter needle remains on ( 8-laying on its side) if water is hot needle may swing toward the (zero) :if it does advance the temp>setting all the way up < you will hear the thermostat click< and the meter needle swing back to the (80laying down on its side:: if iot don't replace the thermostat::#5- (to test the heating element)
Power off- put the thermostat back to the normal setting, touch probs from the meter to the screws on the heating element screws,any meter reading means element is ok:: (note) meter and thermostate will lie to you :: ( if there is the slighest hole in the element <it will show counity< meaning it is good < but is blown:: ) so take one meter prob and clip to one of the screws and touch the other one to the metal tank,do this way with the other screw also :: if the needle moves <then the element is most likely< blown and needs replaced:: last but least- check the bottom thermostat and element -starting with number 3 threw 5:: good luck and have a better day tomorrow and god bless:: i hope i have helped you out <let me know or (rate my answer> f.b.e.
Off, same seting on the ohm meter: ( rx1 scale)