Breaker good, no power to water heater
#1
12-18-16, 04:39 PM
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: USA
Posts: 5
Received 0 Votes
on
0 Posts
Breaker good, no power to water heater
Hi all,
Here's my problem. Water heater went out, so I checked breaker and it was OK. Bought a new element and drained water, cleaned out heater and put in the new element. Hooked up the element and then turned the breaker back on and there was no indication that the element was working. I checked breaker for power and failure with a meter and all is well there. I pulled out the wiring at the water heater and checked for power there but got nothing. What is wrong? My home is only 16years old and have never had any electrical problems. Please help.
Here's my problem. Water heater went out, so I checked breaker and it was OK. Bought a new element and drained water, cleaned out heater and put in the new element. Hooked up the element and then turned the breaker back on and there was no indication that the element was working. I checked breaker for power and failure with a meter and all is well there. I pulled out the wiring at the water heater and checked for power there but got nothing. What is wrong? My home is only 16years old and have never had any electrical problems. Please help.
#3
12-18-16, 05:50 PM
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: USA
Posts: 5
Received 0 Votes
on
0 Posts
Yes, I pulled the wire nuts off the wiring coming into the water heater connected above the thermostat and checked for power there. That's what is a mystery to me. There's power at the breaker and the wiring goes straight to the water heater, but no power at the water heater end. ???
#5
12-19-16, 05:55 AM
So checking across the 2 hot wires at the breaker lugs you get 240V+- but at the water tank end you get 0V. At the breaker place the voltmeter probes on the wire where it enters the breaker lugs, not on the lug screws and verify voltage.
#6
12-19-16, 06:40 AM
Member
Element
Hooked up the element and then turned the breaker back on and there was no indication that the element was working.
#8
12-19-16, 08:11 AM
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: USA
Posts: 5
Received 0 Votes
on
0 Posts
I checked the wires at the breaker lugs like you suggested and still get 240v. I'm going to try pulling the breaker and putting it back in. I'll let you know how that goes.
Also, I let the tank refill before turning the breaker back on.
Also, I let the tank refill before turning the breaker back on.
#10
12-19-16, 09:47 AM
If you are getting 240V on the wire at the breaker and nothing at the end of the wire at the water heater then there has to be a break in the wire or there is a junction box somewhere in the circuit that has a loose connection. Pulling the breaker and re-installing will make no difference.
#11
12-19-16, 10:08 AM
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: USA
Posts: 5
Received 0 Votes
on
0 Posts
I didn't have any results at all when testing each hot to ground. 0v.
Since the water heater was working Saturday morning, how can a break or short occur in the wiring by that afternoon when I replaced the element? It doesn't make any sense.
Since the water heater was working Saturday morning, how can a break or short occur in the wiring by that afternoon when I replaced the element? It doesn't make any sense.
#12
12-19-16, 10:41 AM
how can a break or short occur in the wiring by that afternoon when I replaced the element?
One last possibility is have you driven any screws or nails into the wall. If so check where you did the work.
#13
12-19-16, 10:42 AM
Group Moderator
There are also splices under a junction box cover at the top of the tank.
You have two hot wires arriving at the water heater. You measure 240 between them and 120v from either one to ground. If you get that at the panel but not at the water heater.... there is a break or some device in between stopping the power.
You have two hot wires arriving at the water heater. You measure 240 between them and 120v from either one to ground. If you get that at the panel but not at the water heater.... there is a break or some device in between stopping the power.
#16
12-19-16, 12:00 PM
Usually 2 switches at breaker box did you shut both off and on?
#17
12-19-16, 12:05 PM
Member
Was the element you replaced burned out?can you see the feeder from the panel to the heater?there could possibly be a fused disconnect in that line near the water heater .
#18
12-20-16, 10:21 PM
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: USA
Posts: 5
Received 0 Votes
on
0 Posts
The water heater has only one element. The one I changed out had been burned in two. The panel is at one end of our house and the WH is at the other end. The breaker is 30 amp switch in the middle with 15 amp switches on each side (they control lighting and receptacles on the front side of the house). The wiring runs under the house (a double-wide mobile home). I pulled the insulation away from the area just beneath the panel, at the area beneath where the wire takes a turn to run to the other end of the house, at the area beneath the WH, and also where the wiring takes a turn toward the WH and found no breaks. Guess I'll have to call an electrician. Thanks for all the advice everyone.
#19
12-21-16, 02:58 AM
Is there a disconnect near the water heater? Often where there is great distance between the panel and the water heater, either a fused or breakered disconnect can be installed. This would break your connection and cause no power to the water heater.
