Water Heater Stopped Working
Electrical Question: Why is my water heater not working?
Amanda, a Homeowner in Kentucky asks:
- We recently replaced our entire water line up to our home, beforehand we turned the electric off to the water heater from the break box.
- After the water was hooked back up and we purged the line of air and the water was turned on all the way we turned the breaker back on to the water heater. However, since doing so we don’t have hot water.
- We’re getting electric to the water heater just fine. We just recently purchased the water heater.
John, a Handyman, in Florida asks:
- I have a new water heater that is not working.
- This is a older home that had no ground wire to electric water heater.
- I had a new heater installed and ran a ground wire to a rod. Still no hot water.
- I checked everything per the water heater trouble guide.
- I am getting 120volts on each leg but nothing on both legs together.
- Do I have a bad breaker?
- The previous water heater was working without ground.
Additional Comments: Extremely helpful for those of us trying to identify problems to better help our electrician (and to save money if it is a simple fix.)
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring questions.
How to Check a Water Heater Problem
Application: Problem with a Water Heater that does not work.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced. This electrical wiring project is best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor or Certified Electrician.
Electrical Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools, Voltage Tester, and appropriate Safety Gear.
Estimated Time: Depends on the personal level experience, ability to work with tools, install electrical circuit wiring, and the available access to the project area.
Electrical Safety: Identify the electrical power source to the Water Heater, turn it OFF and Tag with a Note before working with the electrical wiring.
Electrical Wiring Parts and Materials: Electrical parts and materials for the Water Heater should be approved for the specific project and compliant with local and national electrical codes.
Electrical Codes and Inspections: Installing or changing home electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes as adopted in your location. A permit and inspections may also be required.
How to Fix a Water Heater Problem
This information is about a Water Heater that is not working in a residential home.
For Amanda in Kentucky:
Water Heater is Not Working after Replacing the Water Line
- Test the new water line to make sure there are no obstructions and the water pressure and water flow is normal.
- Before restoring power to the water heater, make sure the water heater tank is completely full of water.
- Make sure to bleed off any excess air that may be trapped inside the water heater tank.
- The pressure relief valve of the water heater could be tested to see if water is flowing and there is no trapped air inside the tank. NOTE: This should be done only if there is a continuous drain line attached to the pressure relief valve that leads outside of the home.
- Test the flow of water at a sink or bath tub to make sure water is flowing from the hot water side of the facets.
For John in Florida:
Water Heater is Not Working after Replacing It
- Since the previous 240volt water heater was working before, then I suspect the circuit breaker is either partially tripped off, or the connection of the breaker to the panel is faulty, or the circuit breaker needs to be replaced.
- Important: The main electrical system should be properly grounded. If the main panel did not have a ground system in place then the ground rod should have been properly installed at the main electrical panel, and then a ground wire should be installed from the main panel to the water heater.
More about Electrical Wiring for a Water Heater
Home Electrical Circuit Breakers
Home Electrical Circuit Breakers
A guide to home electrical circuit breakers and how they work to protect your electrical wiring. When properly installed, your home electrical wiring is protected by a circuit protection device.
Electrical Boxes for Electric Repairs and Home Wiring Projects
Electrical Junction Boxes for Home Wiring
Understanding electrical junction boxes and what they are used for. Home electrical wiring is the process of installing electrical wire to a location that will serve electrical devices or an appliance. One very important component is the box where the wire will be installed. The type and size of the home wiring electrical boxes will depend upon the circuit size, application and its location.
Water Heater Stopped Working
Electrical Question: Why is my water heater not working?
Amanda, a Homeowner in Kentucky asks:
- We recently replaced our entire water line up to our home, beforehand we turned the electric off to the water heater from the break box.
- After the water was hooked back up and we purged the line of air and the water was turned on all the way we turned the breaker back on to the water heater. However, since doing so we don’t have hot water.
- We’re getting electric to the water heater just fine. We just recently purchased the water heater.
John, a Handyman, in Florida asks:
- I have a new water heater that is not working.
- This is a older home that had no ground wire to electric water heater.
- I had a new heater installed and ran a ground wire to a rod. Still no hot water.
- I checked everything per the water heater trouble guide.
- I am getting 120volts on each leg but nothing on both legs together.
- Do I have a bad breaker?
- The previous water heater was working without ground.
Additional Comments: Extremely helpful for those of us trying to identify problems to better help our electrician (and to save money if it is a simple fix.)
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring questions.
How to Check a Water Heater Problem
Application: Problem with a Water Heater that does not work.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced. This electrical wiring project is best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor or Certified Electrician.
Electrical Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools, Voltage Tester, and appropriate Safety Gear.
Estimated Time: Depends on the personal level experience, ability to work with tools, install electrical circuit wiring, and the available access to the project area.
Electrical Safety: Identify the electrical power source to the Water Heater, turn it OFF and Tag with a Note before working with the electrical wiring.
Electrical Wiring Parts and Materials: Electrical parts and materials for the Water Heater should be approved for the specific project and compliant with local and national electrical codes.
Electrical Codes and Inspections: Installing or changing home electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes as adopted in your location. A permit and inspections may also be required.
How to Fix a Water Heater Problem
This information is about a Water Heater that is not working in a residential home.
For Amanda in Kentucky:
Water Heater is Not Working after Replacing the Water Line
- Test the new water line to make sure there are no obstructions and the water pressure and water flow is normal.
- Before restoring power to the water heater, make sure the water heater tank is completely full of water.
- Make sure to bleed off any excess air that may be trapped inside the water heater tank.
- The pressure relief valve of the water heater could be tested to see if water is flowing and there is no trapped air inside the tank. NOTE: This should be done only if there is a continuous drain line attached to the pressure relief valve that leads outside of the home.
- Test the flow of water at a sink or bath tub to make sure water is flowing from the hot water side of the facets.
For John in Florida:
Water Heater is Not Working after Replacing It
- Since the previous 240volt water heater was working before, then I suspect the circuit breaker is either partially tripped off, or the connection of the breaker to the panel is faulty, or the circuit breaker needs to be replaced.
- Important: The main electrical system should be properly grounded. If the main panel did not have a ground system in place then the ground rod should have been properly installed at the main electrical panel, and then a ground wire should be installed from the main panel to the water heater.
More about Electrical Wiring for a Water Heater
Home Electrical Circuit Breakers
Home Electrical Circuit Breakers
A guide to home electrical circuit breakers and how they work to protect your electrical wiring. When properly installed, your home electrical wiring is protected by a circuit protection device.
Electrical Boxes for Electric Repairs and Home Wiring Projects
Electrical Junction Boxes for Home Wiring
Understanding electrical junction boxes and what they are used for. Home electrical wiring is the process of installing electrical wire to a location that will serve electrical devices or an appliance. One very important component is the box where the wire will be installed. The type and size of the home wiring electrical boxes will depend upon the circuit size, application and its location.
Wiring for an Electric Water Heater
Electrical Question: What is the right circuit breaker and cable for an electric water heater?
My electrical wiring project involves Change the Wiring a Water Heater in the Bathroom of a Mobile Home.
- An acquaintance has an older mobile (galvanized branch water lines), and his water heater: 40-gal/240v/dual 4500w (18.75A), connected to the circuit breaker panel Double Pole-40A breaker with a #12/20Amp cable.
- A new electrical school graduate recently replaced the the original panel with the same breaker and cable combo (made no change), and has convinced the neighbor this configuration is “OK.”Also, the neighbor believes since nothing “bad” has happened in the several year period he has lived in this home (with the same configuration), nothing will happen in the future.
- Gratefully if you would respond with any advice that could help me convince this neighbor to replace his current breaker and cable with #10-wire and 25A or 30A breaker, if you agree with that. Thanks, John.
This electrical wiring question came from John, a Handyman in Fairfield, Ohio.
Additional Comments: Professional.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question John, the following will assist you with your electrical question.
Wiring for a 240Volt Electric Water Heater
Application: Wiring a Water Heater.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced. This electrical wiring project is best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor or Certified Electrician.
Electrical Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools, Voltage Tester, and appropriate Safety Gear.
Estimated Time: Depends on the personal level experience, ability to work with tools, install electrical circuit wiring, and the available access to the project area.
Electrical Safety: Identify the electrical power source to the Water Heater, turn it OFF and Tag with a Note before working with the electrical wiring.
Electrical Wiring Parts and Materials: Electrical parts and materials for the Water Heater should be approved for the specific project and compliant with local and national electrical codes.
Electrical Codes and Inspections: Installing or changing home electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes as adopted in Fairfield, Ohio. A permit and inspections may also be required.
Electrical Wiring and Circuit Breaker for a Water Heater
This electrical wiring project is about Changing the Wiring for a Water Heater in a Home
I agree with you that this water heater circuit is not a typical configuration, and the common circuit for a new home is #10 copper wire protected by a 2pole 30amp circuit breaker, however lets look at this application carefully.
First, lets start with the NEC Code for this Water Heater Application
You have stated that the calculated amperage load for 4500watt at 240volts is 18.75amps, however NEC Article 422.13 states that the minimum circuit rating for a water heater must be 125% of the rated load, so this 4500watt load requires a minimum circuit of 23.44 amps at 240volts.
Now lets consider this Water Heater Circuit Installation
The type of insulation of the existing #12 cable should be identified and compared to the NEC wire Table 310.16 to see what the allowed ampacity of the cable is, because that is one of the main factors that will determine the amount of heat that is allowed for that type of insulation.
Based upon this information, the existing circuit breaker should be replaced with one that is correct for the existing installation. This way you are sure to protect the wire gauge of the circuit. For example: If the existing cable is 12/2 Type-TN Copper with TW or THW insulation then a 2pole 25amp breaker would be correct.
If after replacing the circuit breaker it is found that the water heater trips the breaker then the circuit wiring and breaker should be increased and replaced, as long as the water heater is working properly and without fault.
In Summary
From the information you have provided and what the NEC code states, careful consideration should be given to installing the right circuit breaker as soon as possible for the right level of protection for this circuit.
More about Electrical Wiring for a Water Heater
Electrical Wire for Electrical Repairs and Home Remodel Projects
Basic House Wiring Circuits
House Wiring Circuits and Circuit Breakers
This article looks at common 120 volt and 240 volt house wiring circuits and the circuit breakers that are installed identifying the types and amperage sizes used in most homes.
Electrical Panel Circuit Listing
Electrical Circuit Wiring
Electrical Circuit Wiring
This article looks at common 120 volt and 240 volt house wiring circuits and the circuit breakers that are installed identifying the types and amperage sizes used in most homes.
Home Electrical Panel Circuit Listing
Home Electrical Circuit Breakers
Home Electrical Circuit Breakers
A guide to home electrical circuit breakers and how they work to protect your electrical wiring. When properly installed, your home electrical wiring is protected by a circuit protection device.
Guide to Home Electrical Wire
Electrical Wire for the Home
Complete listing of electrical wire types and parts used for home projects with electrical code information serves as selection guidelines.
Wiring for an Electric Water Heater
Electrical Question: What is the right circuit breaker and cable for an electric water heater?
My electrical wiring project involves Change the Wiring a Water Heater in the Bathroom of a Mobile Home.
- An acquaintance has an older mobile (galvanized branch water lines), and his water heater: 40-gal/240v/dual 4500w (18.75A), connected to the circuit breaker panel Double Pole-40A breaker with a #12/20Amp cable.
- A new electrical school graduate recently replaced the the original panel with the same breaker and cable combo (made no change), and has convinced the neighbor this configuration is “OK.”Also, the neighbor believes since nothing “bad” has happened in the several year period he has lived in this home (with the same configuration), nothing will happen in the future.
- Gratefully if you would respond with any advice that could help me convince this neighbor to replace his current breaker and cable with #10-wire and 25A or 30A breaker, if you agree with that. Thanks, John.
This electrical wiring question came from John, a Handyman in Fairfield, Ohio.
Additional Comments: Professional.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question John, the following will assist you with your electrical question.
Wiring for a 240Volt Electric Water Heater
Application: Wiring a Water Heater.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced. This electrical wiring project is best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor or Certified Electrician.
Electrical Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools, Voltage Tester, and appropriate Safety Gear.
Estimated Time: Depends on the personal level experience, ability to work with tools, install electrical circuit wiring, and the available access to the project area.
Electrical Safety: Identify the electrical power source to the Water Heater, turn it OFF and Tag with a Note before working with the electrical wiring.
Electrical Wiring Parts and Materials: Electrical parts and materials for the Water Heater should be approved for the specific project and compliant with local and national electrical codes.
Electrical Codes and Inspections: Installing or changing home electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes as adopted in Fairfield, Ohio. A permit and inspections may also be required.
Electrical Wiring and Circuit Breaker for a Water Heater
This electrical wiring project is about Changing the Wiring for a Water Heater in a Home
I agree with you that this water heater circuit is not a typical configuration, and the common circuit for a new home is #10 copper wire protected by a 2pole 30amp circuit breaker, however lets look at this application carefully.
First, lets start with the NEC Code for this Water Heater Application
You have stated that the calculated amperage load for 4500watt at 240volts is 18.75amps, however NEC Article 422.13 states that the minimum circuit rating for a water heater must be 125% of the rated load, so this 4500watt load requires a minimum circuit of 23.44 amps at 240volts.
Now lets consider this Water Heater Circuit Installation
The type of insulation of the existing #12 cable should be identified and compared to the NEC wire Table 310.16 to see what the allowed ampacity of the cable is, because that is one of the main factors that will determine the amount of heat that is allowed for that type of insulation.
Based upon this information, the existing circuit breaker should be replaced with one that is correct for the existing installation. This way you are sure to protect the wire gauge of the circuit. For example: If the existing cable is 12/2 Type-TN Copper with TW or THW insulation then a 2pole 25amp breaker would be correct.
If after replacing the circuit breaker it is found that the water heater trips the breaker then the circuit wiring and breaker should be increased and replaced, as long as the water heater is working properly and without fault.
In Summary
From the information you have provided and what the NEC code states, careful consideration should be given to installing the right circuit breaker as soon as possible for the right level of protection for this circuit.
More about Electrical Wiring for a Water Heater
Electrical Wire for Electrical Repairs and Home Remodel Projects
Basic House Wiring Circuits
House Wiring Circuits and Circuit Breakers
This article looks at common 120 volt and 240 volt house wiring circuits and the circuit breakers that are installed identifying the types and amperage sizes used in most homes.
Electrical Panel Circuit Listing
Electrical Circuit Wiring
Electrical Circuit Wiring
This article looks at common 120 volt and 240 volt house wiring circuits and the circuit breakers that are installed identifying the types and amperage sizes used in most homes.
Home Electrical Panel Circuit Listing
Home Electrical Circuit Breakers
Home Electrical Circuit Breakers
A guide to home electrical circuit breakers and how they work to protect your electrical wiring. When properly installed, your home electrical wiring is protected by a circuit protection device.
Guide to Home Electrical Wire
Electrical Wire for the Home
Complete listing of electrical wire types and parts used for home projects with electrical code information serves as selection guidelines.
Wiring a Water Heater
Electrical Question: How are the electrical wires connected for an electric water heater?
I want to install a new electric water heater on a double breaker – two pole 30 AMP circuit that previously fed an electric dryer which is now discarded.
- The wire type is labeled 10-3 AWG copper.
- The wire colors are black, red and white.
- How should these wires be connected to the wiring on the water heater?
Thanks, Linus.
This water heater question came from: Linus, from Port Royal, Pennsylvania.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electric water heater question Linus.
How to Wire a Water Heater
Application: Wiring a 240Volt Electric Water Heater.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced – Best wired by a Certified Electrician, Licensed Electrical Contractor, or Installed by a Licensed Plumbing Contractor.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools, Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools and install 240 volt electrical circuit wiring.
Precaution: Identify the water heater circuit in the panel, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring connections.
Notice: Installing an additional 240 volt water heater circuit should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.
- Electric Water Heater Connections
Linus, the typical electric water heater requires a dedicated 30 amp 240 volt circuit, and making use of the dryer circuit which is not used is OK to do, however as you discovered the dryer circuit has a dedicated neutral wire which is not required for your electric water heater, so in a case such as this here are the connections:
- Wiring Connections for a 240 volt 30 amp Electric Water Heater
- The ground wire of the circuit is fastened to the provided green ground screw which is found in the wire connection junction box.
- The white neutral wire is just capped off with a wire connector or electrical tape.
- The Red Wire of the circuit connects to the red wire of the water heater.
- The Black Wire of the circuit connects to the Black wire of the water heater.
- Connecting the Wire of a Water Heater
- If your water heater has two black lead wires it really does not matter which connection of the red wire and black wire connects to the water heater leads.
- Support any flexible conduit and provide proper connection fittings.
- Install the cover plate over the water heater wiring connection junction box.
- As always, positively identify the circuit and make sure the circuit is off before making any connections, and be sure to relabel the circuit breaker to show that it is now being used for the water heater.
- Install a Water Heater Time Clock Energy Savings Option
- Consider installing a Water Heater Time Clock which will enable you to control the water heater so that it is not On all the time.
- A suggested schedule would be to have it turn OFF at bedtime and turning back ON one hour before you normally get up. this will save a considerable amount of energy.
More about Wiring a Water Heater
Electrical Wire for the Home
Circuit Wiring
Electrical Circuit Wiring
This article looks at common 120 volt and 240 volt house wiring circuits and the circuit breakers that are installed identifying the types and amperage sizes used in most homes.
Electrical Panel Circuit Listing
Electrical Circuit Breakers
Home Electrical Circuit Breakers
A guide to home electrical circuit breakers and how they work to protect your electrical wiring. When properly installed, your home electrical wiring is protected by a circuit protection device.
Wiring a Water Heater
Electrical Question: How are the electrical wires connected for an electric water heater?
I want to install a new electric water heater on a double breaker – two pole 30 AMP circuit that previously fed an electric dryer which is now discarded.
- The wire type is labeled 10-3 AWG copper.
- The wire colors are black, red and white.
- How should these wires be connected to the wiring on the water heater?
Thanks, Linus.
This water heater question came from: Linus, from Port Royal, Pennsylvania.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electric water heater question Linus.
How to Wire a Water Heater
Application: Wiring a 240Volt Electric Water Heater.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced – Best wired by a Certified Electrician, Licensed Electrical Contractor, or Installed by a Licensed Plumbing Contractor.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools, Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools and install 240 volt electrical circuit wiring.
Precaution: Identify the water heater circuit in the panel, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring connections.
Notice: Installing an additional 240 volt water heater circuit should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.
- Electric Water Heater Connections
Linus, the typical electric water heater requires a dedicated 30 amp 240 volt circuit, and making use of the dryer circuit which is not used is OK to do, however as you discovered the dryer circuit has a dedicated neutral wire which is not required for your electric water heater, so in a case such as this here are the connections:
- Wiring Connections for a 240 volt 30 amp Electric Water Heater
- The ground wire of the circuit is fastened to the provided green ground screw which is found in the wire connection junction box.
- The white neutral wire is just capped off with a wire connector or electrical tape.
- The Red Wire of the circuit connects to the red wire of the water heater.
- The Black Wire of the circuit connects to the Black wire of the water heater.
- Connecting the Wire of a Water Heater
- If your water heater has two black lead wires it really does not matter which connection of the red wire and black wire connects to the water heater leads.
- Support any flexible conduit and provide proper connection fittings.
- Install the cover plate over the water heater wiring connection junction box.
- As always, positively identify the circuit and make sure the circuit is off before making any connections, and be sure to relabel the circuit breaker to show that it is now being used for the water heater.
- Install a Water Heater Time Clock Energy Savings Option
- Consider installing a Water Heater Time Clock which will enable you to control the water heater so that it is not On all the time.
- A suggested schedule would be to have it turn OFF at bedtime and turning back ON one hour before you normally get up. this will save a considerable amount of energy.
More about Wiring a Water Heater
Electrical Wire for the Home
Circuit Wiring
Electrical Circuit Wiring
This article looks at common 120 volt and 240 volt house wiring circuits and the circuit breakers that are installed identifying the types and amperage sizes used in most homes.
Electrical Panel Circuit Listing
Electrical Circuit Breakers
Home Electrical Circuit Breakers
A guide to home electrical circuit breakers and how they work to protect your electrical wiring. When properly installed, your home electrical wiring is protected by a circuit protection device.
More about: Electric water heater
Electric Water Heater Wiring and Video
Electric Water Heater Circuit Requirements
The Right Wire and Breaker for an Electric Water Heater
Electric Water Heater Wiring Connections
Installing a Electric Water Heater Circuit
Wiring Connections for an Electric Water Heater
Electric Water Heater Circuit Problems
Electric Water Heater Wiring
|
