DURAWATT® ELECTRIC WATER HEATER

ELECTRIC WATER HEATER TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

TROUBLE

PROBABLE CAUSE

REMEDY

 

 

 

 

Thermostat(s)

Check to assure proper thermostat setting.

 

 

 

 

Contractors will not pull in

Check continuity between all three thermostats or pressure

 

controls. Complete circuit. If one is open, it must be replaced.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Control circuit switch is in OFF position

Close switch. (Turn to ON position)

 

 

 

 

Control circuit fuse blown

Isolate cause for failure and replace fuse.

 

 

 

 

Contractor(s) coil open

Check continuity. Replace coil if not a complete circuit.

 

 

 

No hot water

 

Check for 120 volts to coil on first sequencer step. Allow ample

Time delay sequencer not operating

time for additional steps to energize. If steps do not energize in

 

 

reasonable time, replace only the defective relay step. See

 

 

 

 

wiring diagram.

 

 

 

 

Proportional sequencer not operating

Check for 120 volts to line connection (L) on sequencer. Check

 

fuse for continuity. See wiring diagram. Consult factory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Low water cutoff open

Check for open circuit. Check water level in tank. Replace low

 

water cutoff if defective.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heating elements

Check for open legs. (See table 2).

 

 

 

 

Heater not large enough to satisfy peak

Add booster or additional kw input. Consult local PVI

 

demands

representative.

 

Hot water lines not insulated

Add insulation; it will protect against heat loss and save on cost

 

of operation.

 

 

 

 

 

Insufficient hot

Power fuse(s) blown

Check fuses for continuity. Replace if blown. If blown, determine

cause of break before replacing with same type fuse.

water

 

 

Contractor(s) not closing

Check coil for continuity. If defective, replace.

 

 

 

 

Thermostat(s) not correctly set

Check to assure proper thermostat control setting.

 

 

 

 

 

Check for proper amperage draw. Check for proper ohm

 

Element(s) not heating

resistance. Replace if defective. Consult factory.

 

 

(See table 1)

 

Loose connections

Tighten all connections. If charred, replace wire with wire of

 

same type and size.

Burned or

 

 

 

 

Remove contactor points and inspect. If dirty, clean with emery

discolored wires

Dirty or pitted contactor points

 

paper. CAUTION: Point must remain flat. If pitted or burned,

 

 

contractor points must be replaced.

Blown fuses

Loose connection. Defective element

Check all connections for tightness. Check ohm resistance in

electric elements. Replace.

 

 

 

 

 

High or low

Local utility

Check with local utility.

voltage

 

 

High or low

High or low voltage. Defective element

Check with local utility. Low amperage, check fuses, tighten

amperage

connections. Check ohm resistance on elements.

 

 

 

 

Wire burned

 

Tighten connection and replace wire. Isolate leaking water and

or melted at

Loose connections. Water leaking on elements

repair. Replace wire with same type and size.

element

 

 

 

 

 

 

PV500-6 09/07

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