Dual Element Water Heater

When an electric hot water heater s elements short out or burn through cool water is the result.

Dual element water heater.

This is known as a flip flop system. Fortunately a few. The upper thermostat takes first priority heating the water to a preset temperature before powering up the lower thermostat to heat the water to its final temperature. Many modern homes come with dual element water heaters.

Low density water heater elements use less watts of energy per square inch so they are made longer in length to make up the watts rating of the element. A wiring diagram is a simplified conventional pictorial depiction of an electrical circuit. A dual element water heater is a two thermostat system an upper and lower that heats water in its tank one element at a time. Water heater elements keep electric water heaters in good repair.

Only one element will come on at any one time. Copper sheathed zinc plated elements ahelp minimize galvanization that can limit service life while nickel based alloy sheath water heater elements are suited for areas with extremely hard water and high sulfur and lime content. Fits most models of american ao smith bradford white craftmaster general electric. Its universal design allows it to fit in most major brands of water heaters.

If the high limit switch fails to activate a pressure relief valve typically located against. A 4500 watt high density element generally has 30 square inches of surface area and a 4500 watt low density element generally has 60 square inches of surface area. Before checking any electrical parts of a water heater shut off the power to the heater s circuit by turning off the appropriate breaker in your home s service panel breaker box. Collection of water heater wiring diagram dual element.

It shows the parts of the circuit as simplified forms as well as the power and also signal connections in between the tools. As with gas water heaters dual element electric water heaters feature a number of safety devices. Detailed instructions and a gasket are included with each packaged element. Typically the lower element goes first but that s not always the case.

Electric water heaters are high voltage 240 volt appliances that are dangerous to work with when the power is on. The upper element heats the upper portion of. If the water within the tank reaches a dangerously high level a switch called a high limit switch will automatically cut the power to both elements. This screw in water heater element is constructed from copper tubing with magnesium oxide and zinc plating.