Need to hit RED RESET on Bradford White everyday

[John R More]

I have a Bradford White model# MI50S6DS13, 50 gal tank and almost every day it shuts down, I have to cut power and push the red RESET button on the upper control panel to get it to work again. After I reset the red button and restore power the water gets heated to a really hot temp and I have the thermostat set on lowest setting??? Is it the thermostat? heating element? The unit is only 2 yrs old and this is getting extremely annoying. Is there anyone that can help me?

[SelgasParticipant]

Sounds very much to me like the thermostat is faulty and it is allowing the water heater to heat up beyond it’s maximum setting and causing the overheat switch to be activated. The element is just a means of using the energy the thermostat is the controller of the energy supply – have the thermostat checked and replaced and I reckon your problem will go away.

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Selgas Services Ltd
Craftsman Gasfitters, Plumbers, Electrical Service Technicians

[PaidpiperParticipant]

I have seen elements develop a hole and short through the water and heat constantly. With the water hot and thermostats turned down, check for amp draw at each wire connected to the elements.

[SelgasParticipant]

Paidpiper

It don’t matter a hoot if the elements are on or off under power or not – if the thermostat says it has reached temp then IT WILL shut down the power to the element FULLSTOP. If the thermostat is faulty then it may allow power to pass continually through it to the elements and allow them to keep heating the water until the water temperature reaches the preset overheat temp, then it will shut down the power supply to protect everything.
I have never in over 30 years of experience ever found an element with a hole in it to work without shorting out nevermind keep on heating while it is in water no less!!!, but hey strange things happen in life!!!!

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Selgas Services Ltd
Craftsman Gasfitters, Plumbers, Electrical Service Technicians

[PaidpiperParticipant]

Peter:
On 220 Volt two leg system the thermostat breaks one leg of power the other leg is live to the element. It is rare but it does happen. I have only been doing plumbing and heating for 26 years.

[SelgasParticipant]

Well thank you for your valued input however I have to stand by what I have already said – here we have 240v circuits of which the phase or live line is fed throught the thermostat and then to the element, the neutral lead is connected directly to the other element connection and the earth connection is connected to the metalwaor of the element completing a safe path to earth in the event of an electrical short. So if the phase lead is shut down by the thermostat then there is no real way the power can feed to the element as the the netural is connected at the power meter board directly to the earth so in many ways we have a double earthed system here which is a whole lot safer than a lot of other Countries wiring systems which strangely enough I have worked in over my many years in this trade.
Thanx again for your input.

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Selgas Services Ltd
Craftsman Gasfitters, Plumbers, Electrical Service Technicians

[PaidpiperParticipant]

US we have two live legs 110 – 120 Volt each on an average water heater. So the elements always have 110/120 on one side, unless it is a 120V heater.

I have no experience outside the US but I agree with you on the safety issue.

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