Water Heaters - electric water heater shuts itself off
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greenishblue
11-05-06, 10:36 AM
A Reliance water heater, it has shut itself off and has had to be reset four times in the last five days. Any ideas what would cause this?
jim-connor
11-05-06, 06:41 PM
Your tank has overheated. The usual cause is a bad thermostat that is stuck "on". A less likely cause is a shorted to ground heating element.
B.C. WINSTEAD
11-18-06, 08:48 PM
How would you know if it is the thermostat?
Reason Im asking is because I've had the same problem twice in the past 6 month's. Have had to reset water switch.
Reason Im asking is because I've had the same problem twice in the past 6 month's. Have had to reset water switch.
Ed Imeduc
11-18-06, 09:50 PM
The tstat on electric water heaters aren't the best in the world. Also they are just surface mount. Might pull the wires off the bottom element and Ohm it out to see if it is good. Another thing too try is turn the temp all the way up and down 3 times and set it back to what you had it
jim-connor
11-19-06, 06:48 AM
If it only did it twice in 6 months, it makes things more difficult. Follow Ed's advice and ohm the element. If they check out OK, you could just go ahead and replace both stats. They are not very expensive. Another option is to replace the elements and stats. In this case your heater will be like new, except for the tank.
If your heater is old (like 10 years) and located where a leak would cause water damage, maybe you should start looking for a new one.
If your heater is old (like 10 years) and located where a leak would cause water damage, maybe you should start looking for a new one.
kaymarie
12-05-06, 06:17 AM
A Reliance water heater, it has shut itself off and has had to be reset four times in the last five days. Any ideas what would cause this?
I to have reliance water heater, power shut off due to weather, cannot find reset button. can you help? thank you kay
I to have reliance water heater, power shut off due to weather, cannot find reset button. can you help? thank you kay
jim-connor
12-05-06, 07:31 AM
Not sure what you mean by "power shut off due to weather". Please explain.
The reset button is attached to the thermostat. If you have 2 heating elements (most water heaters do), then you have 2 stats but only the upper stat will have a reset. Remove the front covers (MAKE SURE THE POWER IS TURNED OFF AT THE BREAKER). You will see a red button. Remember, this is a safety device that tripped because your tank overheated. It is not normal to have to reset this button. There is a good chance your thermostat is shorted in the "on" position.
Good luck.
The reset button is attached to the thermostat. If you have 2 heating elements (most water heaters do), then you have 2 stats but only the upper stat will have a reset. Remove the front covers (MAKE SURE THE POWER IS TURNED OFF AT THE BREAKER). You will see a red button. Remember, this is a safety device that tripped because your tank overheated. It is not normal to have to reset this button. There is a good chance your thermostat is shorted in the "on" position.
Good luck.