The reading on the multimeter should be zero.
Checking heating element water heater.
If it has a disconnectable plug unplug it.
To look for faults you will need to use a screwdriver.
Determine which of the two heating elements in your water heater could be the problem by turning on the water at.
Turn off the circuit breaker supplying power to the hot water heater.
Use the screwdriver to set the lower thermostat to the highest setting.
Locate the water valve at the bottom of the water heater.
This is important especially as open and grounded heating elements result in inaccurate tests.
Attach a garden hose.
Remove 1 wire it doesn t matter which one by finding its loose end and unraveling it from around the metal element.
Turn off the breaker switch to the hot water heater at the breaker box.
How to check heating elements in hot water heaters.
Choose which heater element you d like to test first.
Testing a water heater heating element 1.
You will also need to check the water heater thermostat with digital multimeter tools.
Leave the upper thermostat in the lowest setting and test the lower thermostat.
Disconnect the electrical wires at the heating element terminals.
Touch one probe of the multimeter to each terminal on the lower thermostat.
If the heater is an electric unit.
The lower thermostat has only two terminals.
Wait for the.
Disconnect the water heater from power source.
How to check a heating element in a water heater step 1.
All the tests that you will perform will be done with the power turned off.
If you want to test a thermostat on an electric water heater you will also need to check the heating element.
Drain the water from the water heater.
Each of a hot water heater s elements has 2 electrical wires running to screws that hold the element in place.
Place the remaining probe against the metal base attached to the element where it enters the water heater.
This is so whether testing upper or lower heating element.
If it does not have a.
The element is bad and must be replaced if the needle on the face of the multimeter moves.