Electric Water Heater Lesson Wiring Schematic and Operation

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Electric Water Heater Lesson Wiring Schematic and Operation

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7 жыл бұрын

In this video: Electric Water Heater Lesson Wiring Schematic and Operation. Thanks for watching!!!
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Guy Brown's KZfaq Channel was launched to bring together facts, ideas and education surrounding self sustainability, passive and active solar energy, permaculture, homesteading, survival skills and to promote a conscious self-reliant mindset while building a better future through the use of renewable resources and viable alternatives. Applied practical application practices mentioned within this website can turn the average home into a working living sustainable environment thus reducing your dependence while reducing living costs.
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Пікірлер: 319

@jedowda 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Very well done. I have been an electrician for awhile now, and this is first time I've checked into just how a water heater works. Your video is excellent.

@user-xt3tc8po6s Жыл бұрын

Which wire to remove or cross to get hot water my breaker box is tricked??? And I called someone out of warranty they couldn't even fix it

@waynecharles5165 2 жыл бұрын

Best illustration I’ve seen on Tank Water Heater thermostats.Thanks!

@SouthpawAutoworks 6 жыл бұрын

Very clear explanation of the diagram, and operation of the system. I just finished up replacing elements on a water heater, and was checking for voltage at both elements. This video shed light on when/where voltage should be present. Very cool stuff. Thank you.

@cccspokesmanandcofounder Жыл бұрын

Thanks. Just what I was looking for. I am an A tech auto mechanic for 20 years… never had the pleasure of diagnosing an electric hot water heater. Great explanation and walkthrough… just what I needed. Now I can add hot water heater repair tech to my resume.

@billmarshall3082 5 жыл бұрын

Haven't worked on a water heater in years.Your clear explanation simplifies my problem.Best explanation I could find by far.You remind me of my shop teacher in electrical class.Thanks,Guy.My friends are both retired pastors in their 80's with not much income.God bless

@md83driver5 2 жыл бұрын

Watched this video after changing both elements and wasn't getting voltage to the bottom one, which was the shorted one to start with. This explained it very well. Went back and verified that the lower element was working after a short time period. Excellent video and explanation!

@cccspokesmanandcofounder Жыл бұрын

Had a similar situation. I was trying to figure out what was going on after replacing the bad element. Knowing theory of operation is always the first step to understanding and diagnosing a system.

@externalaffairsporter 4 жыл бұрын

You did a very good job explaining the entire system. You put it in very good detail so anyone can understand. Now I'm 100% sure how it is supposed to be done. First time watching any of your videos. Now I'm a subscriber.

@kimariokiji 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! You are a natural teacher and have a gift for clear, straightforward communication. The best explanation of the electronics and schematic of the elements and thermostats I have seen.

@anhhenry1 5 жыл бұрын

I was puzzled by the operation of water heater during a routine maintenance. After watched the video, I understood how it operates now. Good explanation Guy!

@zygotepeyote 4 жыл бұрын

By far, the best explanation of how it works hands down. Thanks so much for taking the time to make and post this video!!!

@roberthopps8609 Жыл бұрын

Your explanation was perfect for me. I have installed many WH over the years, yet was always a little uncertain whether they would be trying to draw power on both elements or just one at a time. Thanks for the clear explanation!

@davegoodman364 4 жыл бұрын

Between the diagram and the explanation, the operation of an electric hot water tank is explained perfectly. Nicely done.

@burtjones4598 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the wiring diagram. After Irma I had no Solar heater left in the Island of Sint Maarten DWI. I made a DIY panels from Other broken shsstuf. I'm using a standard 50 gal tank on its side. Elements on top side. With your diagram and explanation I can hook up the bottom element to the top thermostat and use one element near the exit water for rainy weeks. The hot exit water is the drain pipe. It should shut off when reached 120* F. Or unplug it. This tank on its side has 2x220 elements supplied by 110v. I have no 220 available in this spot. When I had no panels, a 6 gal tank 110v on 220 elements work ok. Recovery time was longer, but a warm shower was great. The cistern water seemed to be colder than expected. Thank you again Burt A. Jones Dutch west Indies

@jonathanandrews131 6 жыл бұрын

Great format stylé. U never left the screen and now i understand the wiring better than just a schematic! Good job

@marianmendoza9940 5 жыл бұрын

I really appreciate what you did,your explanation is very clear and easy to understand.you are a good teacher and pls keep up your good work.thank you very much and may god bless you.

@barneyrice8502 3 ай бұрын

thank You for This Expecially your wiring diagrams this makes it all make perfect sense now the diagram that came with the new heat adjusters was not a good one and it had me about ready to scream but hearing you and seeing your diagram it all is clear now, again thank you much am downloading your video Sir

@ANG3LiiToVU3LA 3 жыл бұрын

Your teaching ability is top tier one of the best electrical theory and explanations. I hope that you can continue to teach through KZfaq.

@blufinnschannelinhonorofbl5450 4 жыл бұрын

Guy, you are truly an expert, a master of your craft. The presentation is phenomenal, concise, and unlike many people who are posing as expert, you convet information in an easy to absorb methodology others fail to realize. Many thanks, from my family to yours.

@edvanvolkenburg5324 5 жыл бұрын

Great video. Very clear to follow the wiring diagram and great explanation how everything works.

@papal_bull5717 4 жыл бұрын

Very helpful and informative. No BS just cut to the chase info. Thanks for putting it up . It helped me out.👊🏻

@GuyBrown 4 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!!!!

@davidgordon7461 5 ай бұрын

Nice job! Thanks for the time you put into this!

@gbackman1 Жыл бұрын

Very nice. Thanks. There is a terminal 4 missing on a general replacement upper thermostat. I'll be going back now for the right one.

@jenniferrose4491 8 ай бұрын

Well explained... basic and simple

@calderaproductions6422 2 жыл бұрын

Great video! Extremely well done! I was troubleshooting a failure and this really helped understand thermostat operation. Thank you for posting.

@andrewgilbreath1331 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome video dude I never understood that a water heater only heat one element at a time with the top being primary. You have educated me on something today sir thank you.

@carlovincetti1352 4 жыл бұрын

Good job. Stumbled at all the right times making you human and helpful. I was wondering which elements should be the biggest.

@garbo8962 3 жыл бұрын

Great explanation. I was a sparky for 50 years but did not work on loads of electric water heaters. People would not believe me when I told them nothing is wrong with their electric water heaters. They would have a seperate meter with a timer that disconnected heater from around 3 PM to 10 PM. With both the husband & wife working day work kids would do a load of wash then put dishwasher on due to no clean plates. By time diner was over lucky to have enough water to get a luke warm quick shower. Eventually after several calls to ultility company called me back to eliminate water heater meter.

@davesodano8464 2 жыл бұрын

This is an excellent teaching. I have a plumbers Apprentice Class . And I’m using this video in their teaching. Thank you for your work.

@GuyBrown 2 жыл бұрын

UA by chance?

@davesodano8464 2 жыл бұрын

Not sure what UA means

@GuyBrown 2 жыл бұрын

United association of plumbers and pipe fitters

@t.harris4309 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for taking the time to do this video. It really helped out

@jeffreyplumber1975 2 жыл бұрын

great explaination older video but its a perfect job thanks

@muffdiver69x 5 жыл бұрын

thank you sir for a very clear explanation of how this works.didnt necessarily need this,but enjoy learning how things work.gracias🙂

@jamesmitchell9778 2 жыл бұрын

You are awesome brother I appreciate your help and your time. Thank you for helping me understand how my water heater works

@cezargabat126 4 жыл бұрын

Mr Guy Brown, you made it easy to understand....layman's term. Thank you!

@treetrimmerguy2 2 жыл бұрын

You should be a teacher. You would be a great one. Thank you very much.

@shaneguyton7132 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the schematic. I was not sure if the blue wire went to the middle red wire. Job done!👍

@externalaffairsporter 4 жыл бұрын

Very very good video you could not have explained the hot water heater any better than what you did you even made it so clear that we should not have to ask any more questions about it. You'll be surprised how many people mess up this totally simple thing. Ming Lee is because no one takes the time to take the multi tester to wring it out

@larryoverhagen4967 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the great and complete explanation of this. I had my upper thermostat go out and melt until it tripped the high limit. It melted the color of wires even and heated the copper to desintetigrating where all wires were loose under the screws even on the element. It did not trip the breaker?

@TheMetaljrc 4 жыл бұрын

Omg you saved me from putting 8 awg wire instead of 10 awg wire on a 3800w heater. Lucky i opened the water heater and saw this exact configuration, and owners manual confirmed the circuit. The configuration is called "double element non-simultaneous"

@mark0843 3 жыл бұрын

Best tutorial ever. I would like to see what happens when thermostats don't work. How do the switches work when or not work when water is over heating?

@kerrdog21 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent presentation, I feel like a Hot Water Tank wiring expert now. You might want to tell folks to shut off power before diving into wiring.

@TheTgarcia123 7 жыл бұрын

Dude you helped me out so much ... I could not find how the hot water heater work ... Then I seen this video.. Man your awesome... Thanks so much.

@jmcardle84 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks very helpful and informative. I'm putting a 30 gallon water heater on my boat and changing the elements from 240 to 120. The thermostat works for both!

@hxcy786 3 жыл бұрын

Pardon me

@stevetodman8149 3 жыл бұрын

Great video, thanks for your help!

@markbond2539 5 ай бұрын

This is contrary to my Whirlpool diagram, 2 wires go to different places but looks like both will work, after your explanation. Good Video! Except Which thermostat comes on first on a new install if both are cold as they are both calling. Guessing the top one-first in line. I need to know for testing. Also I am having rust/ground issues, but its rarely discussed

@alan262 2 жыл бұрын

Very well done. Thank you.

@beanber1 5 ай бұрын

Vevor D10-14VA(M,S) electric water heater. Installed in an travel trailer. Its wired directly to a breaker. It stays on hot till the capacity is used then its not doing its job. The original worked with a relay that turned it on and off. The vevor wire option given was wall socket or direct to breaker. Any advice

@craigcolbourn8351 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this vid! Good explanation 😉

@michaelolympio5824 4 жыл бұрын

Exquisitely clear explanation. Please add some troubleshooting next time, such as how to distinguish faulty upper from lower thermostat, or stuck-open or stuck-closed switches in each thermostat, or faulty upper versus lower heating element. I think the element test is simply a show of continuity after the wires are disconnected??? and not sure about the other issues. Thank you!!

@treetrimmerguy2 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you sir. This helped me a bunch. Answered everything I needed to know. Cannot thank you enough. Awesome awesome awesome.

@michaelhendershott4471 Жыл бұрын

Great video! Thank you!

@davewilliams4556 4 жыл бұрын

I'm only a minute into this video and I can tell already you are a born teacher, Thanks! keep it up!

@DaleandShithead 5 жыл бұрын

Excellent Video, very easy to understand, ... Thank you so much !!! Cheers

@martybrowning6702 5 жыл бұрын

Cool...thank for the video! I'm welding two 55 gallon drums together, rubber coating the inside and hooking up water heater elements. I have a few big fish tanks and it's a pain to do water changes 5 gal at a time! Got to have the temperature right, and add stuff to get rid of the chlorine. So weld two barrels together make it 110 gallons, and when I go to do a water change just fill barrels, add chlorine remover, set thermostat at 80° then pump out from barrels to tank! Of course I will have it so pressure can't build up!

@wharris7594 5 жыл бұрын

TEMPERATURE PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE T&P VALVE OR DEATH OR INJURY WILL OCCUR FROM TANK EXPLOSION.

@franklinfoy6489 3 жыл бұрын

Very well explained, thanks.

@genepass3127 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, You were a big help.

@georgenoe1163 5 жыл бұрын

It seems that I always get the WEIRD problems ( I use to work on F4's lol ...). New water heater installed - Luke warm water ... Later: NO HOT WATER. Heating Elements checked ok with 13 ohms. After disconnecting house wiring from the water heater, I checked the voltage on each wire from the circuit breaker to find ONE with only 20 volts on it. The breaker was not making good contact in the panel box. I Did not have to replace the breaker, just seat, and re-seat a few times for good contact. Before you guys run out for a new water heater or replace elements, check continuity on elements - If the elements are good, you might want to check the hot wire from the breaker for correct voltage. Thanks for taking the time for the informative video Guy we appreciate ya! :)

@georgenoe1163 5 жыл бұрын

December - Two months later - NO hot water. I checked voltage on the water heater ... I had 120V on BOTH legs. I turned the breakers off and checked both elements ... each one had 13 ohms ( they are good ). I replaced the circuit breaker - No More Problem -

@GuyBrown 5 жыл бұрын

Awesome man. Sorry for the late response. Life gets in the way sometimes! Thanks for watching. Let me know if you would like me to make a video on anything specific.

@dannylee8155 4 жыл бұрын

@@GuyBrown thanks for explain

@jrpritchard1622 3 жыл бұрын

thanks guy i have a better understanding on the operation of the water heater thanks again

@cfchen168 3 жыл бұрын

Very good and clear explanation. Thank you so much

@jimshirley7613 5 жыл бұрын

Excellent presentation! Very helpful. Thanks...

@salvatoremagarelli4491 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome Explanation

@gtmark1239 4 жыл бұрын

Thanx for the perfect explanation of how an electric hot water heater works and why one needs only a 30 amp 2 pole circuit for it (given an upper limit of 5500 watts per element). But let's get real and forget about the kid- how about you and your girlfriend or wife and you? Wouldn't it be nicer if both elements could kick in at the same time? I actually don't see any advantage to this setup except to lower the curve to the point of cold water. Perhaps a 100 amp 2-pole breaker is in order and we all need 400 amp services to satisfy our electric hot water needs. This setup just seems like another mother telling me to get out of the shower ;)

@johnniver9250 3 жыл бұрын

That was THE best explanation ever!! It was absolutely what I needed!! Thank you!+

@art51777 4 жыл бұрын

Guy Brown I appreciate your help. God bless

@TheMekDoc 7 жыл бұрын

I replaced both thermostats and elements in my water heater. The water was much hotter than 120 degrees. Found this video and saw I wired it incorrectly. Thanks for the information.

@layonel68 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you man, you have the best explanation online, bless

@firstreviewer8966 2 жыл бұрын

Very Well Done, Thank You. I trying to figure out the top water heater switch. When the tank is full of cold water the top switch is closed and the top element is on. I take it that when that themostat is satisfied it opens and at the same time closes the switch to the bottom element. Once the bottom themostat is satisfied it opens and then until the top themostat or the bottom themostat closes they both remain open until one of them closes. Again, My Thanks, FR

@edgar20109 2 жыл бұрын

Great video, thanks for sharing

@andyduong9523 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you Guy this is a very lesson, wait to see more from you.

@GuyBrown 7 жыл бұрын

+Andy Duong thanks. Give me some ideas of what you would like me to cover. Thanks for watching!

@officeadministrator4325 6 жыл бұрын

Great explanation and video. Thanks for taking the time. I had no idea how it worked before. Thanks

@GuyBrown 6 жыл бұрын

+Office Administrator you are welcome. Thank you for watching!!!

@larryl657 5 жыл бұрын

Great video. Awesome explanation. Thank you

@little0101012012 4 жыл бұрын

This is exactly what KZfaq was created for!!!!

@craignehring 7 жыл бұрын

I put a neon lamp on both heating elements so I could see what element was on, if the top one is on, you do not have much hot water left. the job is super easy to do just remember to get the correct voltage lamp for your application.

@GuyBrown 7 жыл бұрын

Craig Nehring thats a cool idea.

@caseytbss 4 жыл бұрын

A neon lamp? Couldn’t you just do it with LED or normal bulb or even dual voltage gauge?

@joseesanchezjr.1288 6 жыл бұрын

Woow. You did it man. You explained every little detail anyone should know to how install a 240v water heater. Simple huh!. Great video man. Thanks

@GuyBrown 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you. Please feel free to suggest a video you would like me to make. Thanks for watching!!!

@mr.allinone1575 5 жыл бұрын

Clear and to the point. Good job

@AlexVidrov 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you sir. Finally a video that makes sense.

@87stuntman87 2 ай бұрын

Great video!! Thank you! Is it possible to temporarily run it off of 120v? If so, how would it be wired? (Let's say power is out and you've got a 120v generator)

@Tom-ej8bb Жыл бұрын

Well done TY. I would assume most tanks bottom element is first to die.

@makeyourownluck5822 11 ай бұрын

Great video!

@bikinijohn 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I have checked and do have 240. I have not checked the amp draw, yet. However, I did notice that the upper thermostat was not pressing against the tank to trigger the sensor. So, I have wedged a piece of plastic, safely across the tank to put pressure and hold thermostat against tank. I am now waiting to see what happens. I appreciate your reply.

@tb0256 7 жыл бұрын

Glad I found this video. I can save a few $$$ per month by cutting the thermostatic back on the bottom element. When the top runs out of hot water the person (that normally takes a shower till the full tank runs cold) will now get out sooner.

@rebeccaduncan942 6 жыл бұрын

tb0256 my what temperature should you water heater be set at

@Hiperf 3 жыл бұрын

I am following your video all the way down to the lower thermostat. My is factory hooked up the other way around. Instead of my black wire going to "sit" at the thermostat, mine runs straight to the element. My red wire comes down and goes through the thermostat?

@rtoguidver3651 4 жыл бұрын

Lets see if I have this right - the Red & Blue wires are a constant 120V waiting for the circuit to trip and bring the other side of 120V to create 240V.. Is that correct ? It also sounds like the Lower Element does most of the work and the upper rarely comes on unless the hot water is completely depleted.. Am i right ?

@NPR47 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks , I needed that to wire up a Solar powered preheater , 600Watt DC elements @ 48Vdc ..VT

@GuyBrown 4 жыл бұрын

Glad I could help. Thanks for watching!!!!

@danielswatske920 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you much mr. Brown that was a big help

@Hiperf 3 жыл бұрын

Interesting. Any idea even after installing new thermostats just now I can get my water to cool down? Set at 120 and its its currently running 132 out the closest tap with a thermo gun. Installed new thermostats because of this issue. Set at 110 tap water would still push 140 degrees. I changed thermostats and fixed nothing. Problem started after shutting off the breaker and flushing several times last night. I am confused.

@user-xt3tc8po6s Жыл бұрын

Hey I need your help I have a aos smith hot water tank that's been self installed which wire do I remove or cross to get hot water my breaker is goin bad???

@aduboi1534 3 жыл бұрын

My Rheem 82v80-2 is wired differently. Even though the thermostats look identical. The red on the first terminal 4 goes to the bottom heater as you show same as mine but the blue is on the second 4 and goes to the upper element. My black wire to the lower thermostat comes up to terminal 2 where the yellow wire is. Could this be the problem I am having with the overtemp tripping?

@xjustslimx9803 6 жыл бұрын

Great video! Thanks for sharing! Great explanation!

@apaulothegreat1581 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the video. I have a new water heater that's twenty gallons. It's also hundred and twenty votes. Two thousand watt element. What do I need to do that convert this 2 hundred and twenty change the element? My uncle was going to show me how to do this but he's not available. Please help if you can

@bmxking6582 6 жыл бұрын

Easy video to understand, thank you for posting.

@richardbloemker1495 Жыл бұрын

I got an electric water heater that's not working. I put in a new upper and lower thermostat and elements but it doesn't start up. Had a professional electrician come check the circuit breaker and to check the voltage going to the water heater. It show the correct current but still, it doesn't start heating. It's just a simple 30 gallon water heater, All the wiring is rightfully connected. So what can be the problem? Would the water heater freezing up have anything to do with it not wanting to heat? In other words, is there some safety device INSIDE the tank that would cause this issue?

@lujitsu1251 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent!

@billford4749 4 жыл бұрын

Outstanding. Very understandable. Thank you.

@ahrensmarineservicesllc4965 4 жыл бұрын

My water heater has a built in removable cover to gain access to the tank...for cleaning out lime. I have replaced both elements an thermostats 3 or 4 times in the last 12 years, along with cleaning the lime out. Never had an issue. my breaker box is a 200 amp square d panel. I replaced both elements along with both thermostas recently, after the lower element burnt out and tripped the breaker. After replacing everything and de-liming the tank. The unit will trip the breaker after it's on a while. It looks like (using multimeter) BOTh elements are getting power at the same time when water in tank is cold. I have replaced both thermostats twice...and can't figure out what the trouble is? Thanks

@chuckp4537 3 жыл бұрын

So I'm trying to install my electrical hot water heater but it's still not getting hot it's brand new I made sure the water heater was full before flipping the breaker back on so I then checked the breaker with my multimeter it showed 240 which was good but I tested the voltage it was no current touched 1 and 2 to see if I got the same reading and it was not getting a reading I just wonder does it matter which way you wire it from the top of the water heater so I switched around just to see and still nothing I'm getting frustrated with this what do I do?

@ceciliamoore1489 4 жыл бұрын

My current water heater has only one element. How hard is it to wire a new water heater with 2 elements? All I have shopped for seem to have 2 elements.