Ask Me Help Desk - How do I check the amperage on a 50 gal Rheem electric water heater?

How do I check the amperage on a 50 gal Rheem electric water heater?

I want to make sure the heating elements are working or need to be replaced. This is an electric 50 gallon hot water heater (Rheem). This is a total electric home and unfortunately I do not have enough power to go tankless.

Hi Pet41:

I don't test elements using amperage or ohms... I always use a continuity test.

Here, you disconnect the power to the water heater at the breaker panel. Confirm power is off by testing the leads at the water heater junction box with a tester. Never skip this step as some panels are mislabelled and you just never know... right?

After power is disconnected remove the access panels and the insulation and plastic cover and disconnect the 2 wires going to each element.

Set your electrical tester to continuity and touch one probe to each screw on one element at a time. If you do not have continuity then the element is shot and needs to be replaced.

If you do have continuity you will still need to check each screw separately by touching one lead to the screw and the other probe to the water tank. You should have no continuity this way, unless the element is shorted out and you are reading through the water.

That's how I do it.

Maybe someone else will come along and explain how to test for amps/ohms, etc. You could also Google it... :)

MARK

Thank you Mark, your post was very helpful to me.
PET41

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Originally Posted by PET41

I want to make sure the heating elements are working or need to be replaced. This is an electric 50 gallon hot water heater (Rheem). This is a total electric home and unfortunately I do not have enough power to go tankless.

Most heaters use 4500 watt elements. I use a Amp-Probe,(see image)
To check elements. A 4500 watt element will pull 19 amps when working normally. Heater elements work opposed to each other. They will never be energized at the same time. Good luck, Tom

Thanks speedball1 very helpful. I was surprised to see when I shut the breakers I was able to get readings and sound on my multimeter. I also tested the cable to the heater with a greenlee oltage detector and it was not live.