How to Repair the Thermostat of an Electric Shower Head

If your electric shower head has stopped working properly, you may be able to diagnose and fix the problem yourself. Electric shower heads provide instant, nearly unlimited hot water to your shower by heating the water as you need it, as opposed to conventional hot water tanks that work by heating up a limited hot water reservoir.

If the thermostat on your electric shower head stops working properly, however, you may be in for a very uncomfortable bathing experience. By following the steps below, you should be able to diagnose and fix the problem in no time.

Step 1 - Turn off the Electricity

Since this is a project that requires you to work around electrical wiring, the first safety precaution that must be taken will be to turn off the power in the project area. Making this project even more dangerous is the fact that you will be working not only around electricity but also water. Since the combination of water and electricity has the potential to be fatal, be sure that all electricity is turned off before continuing.

If you are unsure of proper procedures for working around electrical wiring, or if you would rather not deal with this portion of the project, don’t hesitate to contact an electrician.

Step 2 - Expose the Thermostat

Next, with a Phillips-head screwdriver, begin to unscrew the housing on the electric shower head. Once you have loosened and removed the casing on the showerhead itself, look for the thermostat inside. Remove any insulation from around the thermostat so that you can get a good look at it.

Step 3 - Adjust Temperature Settings

On the thermostat itself, you will find three terminals. One of the terminals will have a white wire coming out of it, one terminal will have a black wire coming out of it, and one terminal will just be a small screw. Turn this small screw with a small flat-head screwdriver to adjust the temperature settings on your thermostat. Turn the screw so that the temperature of the unit is turned all the way up.

Step 4 - Test Thermostat

With your multimeter set to RX1, touch one probe to the white wire and the other probe to the small screw you just turned. The multimeter should read zero, and if it doesn't it means that your thermostat is broken and will need to be replaced.

Step 5 - Remove Broken Thermostat

If you decide your thermostat needs to be replaced, loosen the wires connected to each terminal with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Once the wires of the thermostat are disconnected, remove the thermostat from the electric shower head casing.

Step 6 - Install New Thermostat

After purchasing a new thermostat with the same dimensions and specifications as the old unit, install the wires on the new thermostat in the same way that you disconnected them in the previous step. With your small, flat-head screwdriver, turn the screw on the top of the thermostat until it reads 120 degrees. Screw the electric showerhead back into place and turn on the electricity to the unit.