So my electric heater has had two elements changed and the upper thermostat replaced. I was still having to reset the water heater once a day once the hot water ran out. My father called a plumber and he told him to replace the last thing that hadn't been replaced yet -- the lower thermostat. I turned the power off at the breaker box and replaced the lower thermostat and went to turn the power back on, but the breaker wouldn't stay in the on position. I put the old thermostat back on thinking I got a bad new thermostat but that didn't help. The wires are all back in the original position. Any ideas?

Hi Andersdad...

Only thing that really makes sense is that the wires got switched somehow. Otherwise, something else is seriously wrong and you really need a plumber or an electrician to pop in and resolve this for you.

If you have a new upper and a new lower thermostat available, it should only cost a service call and he can check the entire system for you.

Here, I cannot emphasize enough to you that this needs to be evaluated by a professional, OK?

Good luck!

Mark

From what you have posted, maybe the next best step is to call an electrician. If elements/thermostat have been changed and breaker keeps tripping, maybe something changed in the electrical system. I could tell you of a dozen electrical scenarios, but better to have somebody qualified look at it.

If breakers are immediately tripping off you must have wired something incorrectly. Check wiring. If you have replaced both thermostats and you are still having to reset, you must have a defective high limit switch.