Water Heaters - a o smith heating elements?

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drotti2004
08-22-09, 09:52 PM
I have a a o smith 80gal electric waterheater and took the elements out to pu new in the bottom is a 4500watt that is about 14in long and the top is 4500watt about 9in long they are original. I was wondering do I need to put another short one in the top because I can not find one, is there a reason for the shorter one on top. I also need to know about the elements they came out on 1 side they say 208 - 3500watt
and on the other side they say 240- 4500watt I have a 20amp breaker and 12- 2 wire do I need to repace with a 3500watt or 4500 watt.

furd
08-22-09, 10:15 PM
The different lengths are for different "watt densities" of the elements. There is no reason to change the upper element as long as it is functioning correctly.