American Water Heater ITCE3-52/80/119 Water Heater User Manual


 
OPERATION & SERVICE
Servicing should only be performed by a Qualified Service Agent
24
Heating Element Voltage Test
This test is typically performed after an amperage test (see page 23) has determined one or
more heating elements is not drawing correct amperage.
1 Secure power to the water heater at the main breaker or disconnect switch.
2 Ensure tank temperature is less than 100°F/38°C - dump water to lower tank temperature if necessary.
3
Surface Mount Control Models - raise the temperature settings to ensure a call heat is active for all
heating elements. Press the red reset button firmly on all thermostat/ECO controls then raise the
temperature setting on all thermostat/ECO controls to 140°F or higher - see page 18.
4 Restore power to the water heater.
5
Electronic Control Models - adjust the temperature settings to ensure a call heat is active for all heating
elements. Raise the Operating Set Point in the Temperatures Menu to 140°F or higher. Set all Heating
Element Bank Differentials in the Temperatures Menu to 2°F - see pages 52 and 53.
6 Using an AC volt meter; set the volt meter to an AC voltage range above the expected voltage (600 VAC or
higher range initially).
7 Check voltage between the two terminals on the heating element - see the image below. Record the
voltage at all heating elements. Voltage should match the listed voltage on the water heater’s rating label.
8 If the measured voltage is zero volts or is not the correct voltage - check power to the water heater (pages
12 - 14), check fuses (page 17). Ensure heating element power circuit wiring is correct (see wiring diagram
on water heater). Check thermostat/ECO control(s) supplying power to the heating element on Surface
Mount Control models - see page 19. Check contactors on Electronic Control Models (see pages 29 - 33).
Check all wiring and connections between the heating elements, contactors, fuses and the power
distribution block. Ensure all wiring and connections are tight and making good contact - replace any
wiring, fuses and/or contactors that are not working properly, damaged or show signs of excessive wear.
Measuring voltage on an electric heating element.
Touch the two volt meter probes to the two
terminals on the end of each heating element.
DO NOT TOUCH THE ENDS OF ANY
HEATING ELMENTS WHILE PERFORMING
THIS TEST
Be extremely careful as there will be high voltage
present at the wiring terminals on all heating
elements during this test.