If you want to test a thermostat on an electric water heater you will also need to check the heating element.
Test heating element hot water heater.
If it does not have a.
A multimeter is a tool used to measure electrical.
If it has a disconnectable plug unplug it.
This is a very critical step in testing the water element.
Turn off the breaker switch to the hot water heater at the breaker box.
This is important especially as open and grounded heating elements result in inaccurate tests.
Before you start the process of testing the hot water heater heating element you must switch off the flow of electricity by turning off the breaker inside your main electrical panel.
Touch one probe of the multimeter to each terminal on the lower thermostat.
Disconnect the water heater from power source.
To look for faults you will need to use a screwdriver.
1 turn off the circuit breaker supplying power to the hot water heater.
The lower thermostat has only two terminals.
You will also need to check the water heater thermostat with digital multimeter tools.
Set your multimeter to the lowest setting for ohms of resistance.
Locate the water valve at the bottom of the water heater.
Drain the water from the water heater.
Testing hot water heater elements is an easy project that even a beginner can master in a few minutes.
Disconnect from the power source.
Place the remaining probe against the metal base attached to the element where it enters the water heater.
Wait for the.
Use the screwdriver to set the lower thermostat to the highest setting.
Using the multimeter 1.
Testing a water heater heating element 1.
Locate the circuit breaker at the central electric panel that connects your water heater.
Attach a garden hose.
If the heater is an.
Determine which of the two heating elements in your water heater could be the problem by turning on the water at the faucet and feeling.
Hold the multimeter prongs to the.
The element is bad and must be replaced if the needle on the face of the multimeter moves.
Each of a hot water heater s elements has 2 electrical wires.
All the tests that you.
Take 1 of the wires off of a water heater element.
Leave the upper thermostat in the lowest setting and test the lower thermostat.