[jarnal3]

Curious, came home to shower, found no hot water. Did fast check, found that the reset button was not "popped" and with "power on" I have power to my lower element, but nothing to the upper element? Curious if the element is bad will it not show power? I do not have a continuity tester however understand how they work. I do have a lightbulb tester showing very bright at lower but nothing at upper element? Any ideas

[massplumber2008]

Hi Jarnal3

Each element comes on individually so you should only get a reading from one thermostat or element at a time to start with, so that won't tell us anything here... ;)

Instead, you'll need shut off power going into the water heater (confirm via an electrical tester) and then disconnect the wires from each element and perform continuity tests across the terminals of each element.

If there is a loss of continuity then you will need to replace the defective element. If you have continuity at both elements then plan on replacing the upper and lower thermostats as they are both super super cheap and easy to replace.

Back to you...

Mark