Dual Element Water Heater

A dual element water heater is a two thermostat system an upper and lower that heats water in its tank one element at a time.

Dual element water heater.

Electric water heaters are high voltage 240 volt appliances that are dangerous to work with when the power is on. The upper thermostat takes first priority heating the water to a preset temperature before powering up the lower thermostat to heat the water to its final temperature. When an electric hot water heater s elements short out or burn through cool water is the result. As with gas water heaters dual element electric water heaters feature a number of safety devices.

This screw in water heater element is constructed from copper tubing with magnesium oxide and zinc plating. Sequence of operation for a dual element electric water heater the basic operation of a two thermostat system upper and lower on an electric water heater of 240 volt supply is as follows. If the water within the tank reaches a dangerously high level a switch called a high limit switch will automatically cut the power to both elements. Its universal design allows it to fit in most major brands of water heaters.

Many modern homes come with dual element water heaters. Only one element will come on at any one time. It shows the parts of the circuit as simplified forms as well as the power and also signal connections in between the tools. This is known as a flip flop system.

Collection of water heater wiring diagram dual element. If the high limit switch fails to activate a pressure relief valve typically located against. A dual element water heater uses two heating elements controlled by two separate thermostats. Low density water heater elements use less watts of energy per square inch so they are made longer in length to make up the watts rating of the element.

On a 240 volt water heater there will always be 120 volts to both elements. Water heater elements keep electric water heaters in good repair. Fits most models of american ao smith bradford white craftmaster general electric. Copper sheathed zinc plated elements ahelp minimize galvanization that can limit service life while nickel based alloy sheath water heater elements are suited for areas with extremely hard water and high sulfur and lime content.

A 4500 watt high density element generally has 30 square inches of surface area and a 4500 watt low density element generally has 60 square inches of surface area. Detailed instructions and a gasket are included with each packaged element. Before checking any electrical parts of a water heater shut off the power to the heater s circuit by turning off the appropriate breaker in your home s service panel breaker box. Typically the lower element goes first but that s not always the case.