Water heater producing steaming water

[PARAM PREET SINGH]

Weve had a reoccurring problem with our water heater producing steaming hot water, and the thermostat breaker button needing to be reset. The first time I noticed water leaking from the upper element, and assumed that it caused the short. I replaced the element and it was fine for a couple of weeks. The steaming water started again, and this time I found a small leak around the lower element. I replaced this element, along with the thermostat (since theyre fairly inexpensive). The house circuit breaker was also being thrown. I also found a wire (red from terminal #4 on the upper thermometer) with a small area of melted insulation. Stripping away the insulation I found a pocket of copper that had been eaten away (probably from a short). I removed this section of wire, and eveything has been fine for a couple of weeks. Now, the water is once again steaming and the breaker button on the thermostat was activated. There is no leaking nor visible shorting. The water heater is 3 years old and manufactured by State.

[Barry KahnParticipant]

Barry: You have already done almost everything that can bedone to cure the hot water problem. The only thing remaining is to replace the upper thermostat. It is very important that it be rewired properly RED and Black to the Lower element…Yellow and blue to the upper. A wiring diagram is furnished with each thermostat. It must be wired for non-simultaneous element operation. WHEN WORKING ON ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT BE SURE TO EXERCISE CAUTION….YOU COULD BECOME AN 11 OClock news item….Lots of luck…Bud

[Barry KahnParticipant]

: Weve had a reoccurring problem with our water heater : producing steaming hot water, and the thermostat : breaker button needing to be reset. The first time : I noticed water leaking from the upper element, and : assumed that it caused the short. I replaced the : element and it was fine for a couple of weeks. The : steaming water started again, and this time I found a : small leak around the lower element. I replaced this : element, along with the thermostat (since theyre : fairly inexpensive). The house circuit breaker was : also being thrown. I also found a wire (red from : terminal #4 on the upper thermometer) with a small area : of melted insulation. Stripping away the insulation I : found a pocket of copper that had been eaten away : (probably from a short). I removed this section of : wire, and eveything has been fine for a couple of : weeks. Now, the water is once again steaming and the : breaker button on the thermostat was activated. There : is no leaking nor visible shorting. The water heater : is 3 years old and manufactured by State.

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