OPERATION & SERVICE
HEATING ELEMENTS
This section of the manual provides information on how to determine the actual voltage and wattage rating of a heating element along with tables showing heating element configurations, heating element amperage and heating element resistance/ohms.
This section also contains heating element test procedures to measure; amperage, voltage, resistance and check for grounded elements. These procedures are used to determine if a heating element is defective or working properly. An AC amp meter, AC volt meter and ohm meter are required - see Tools Required on page 3.
Heating Element Construction
The water heater(s) covered in this manual use electric heating elements to heat water. Heating elements convert electrical energy into heat energy.
Heating elements are constructed with metal tubing. Inside the tube is a wire conductor surrounded by an insulating material. The wire conductor inside the heating element has a relatively high resistance to the flow of electricity. Heat is generated when the electricity (voltage) applied to the heating element begins to flow (amperage) and encounters the resistance (ohms) of the wire conductor inside.
Side View
Wiring
Terminals
Heat element tube | Top View | |
encloses wire | ||
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conductor and |
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insulating material |
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Internal View Heating Element Tube
Wire conductor 
inside tube
Servicing should only be performed by a Qualified Service Agent
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