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RESIDENTIAL GAS AND ELECTRIC WATER HEATER
SERVICE HANDBOOK
A.O. Smith Water Products Company Training Department
©2002 Ashland City, Tennessee
38
Residential Electric – continued
A-6 service – continued
Grounded Element Test
–
Amperage Method - using “clamp type” Amperage
Meter.
Many multimeters could be used to conduct this test but be certain that the amperage
limits of the multimeter will not be exceeded.
Complaint:
A grounded element is suspected whenever the water temperature
becomes
excessively hot
and/or the end user
must push the high limit reset
to
reactivate the heater.
Amperage
measures the flow of current through a wire.
Watts
divided by volts = Amps
Test Conditions
Wires on the water heater are all connected to their proper terminals.
Power to the heater is "on".
Both thermostats are satisfied.
Clamp the jaws of the Amp Meter around each wire connected to the elements –
one wire at a time.
If …
… then
meter reads the proper amperage (+5, -
10%)
the thermostat is calling for heat.
meter reads approximately ½ of the
proper amperage
replace the element.
meter reads NO amperage thermostat and element are not grounded.