Water Heaters - Voltage difference in elements

I have an AO Smith 52 gallon water heater that is 17 years old and worked perfectly until recently. I replaced the lower element with a 240 V 4500watt element..the same as the top element. I have power to the lower element but when I test it with a voltage meter its only showing 110V rather than the 240 that the top element registers. Any ideas as to what might cause this difference in voltage or what I need to try next?

Until the circuit is complete you will always see 110v, once the demand is called for it will read 240v

What troubles are you have with this heater?

Thanks for replying!
The only problem that I was having was a decrease in the amount of available hot water for bathing.
The lower element was bad and was replaced with a 240V 4500 watt element.
I thought something was wrong when I saw that 110V registering instead of the 240V I anticipated. Your explanation makes sense.
Tonight, I cannot report back to you about circuits completed and demands and all that plumber jargon:) All I know is that I had a WONDERFUL hot bath with PLENTY of hot water. I think its fixed! Thank you.