What Does the Reset Button Do on a Water Heater?
Electric storage tank-type hot water heaters are thermostatically controlled and have a mechanism to shut off the electricity when the water temperature rises dangerously high. The high-limit temperature switch (red reset button) activates automatically. Does this Spark an idea?
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The First Temperature Setting Component
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Thermostats set the water temperature by sending electricity to the heating elements, normally set between 120 to 150 degrees F.
The Second Temperature Setting Component
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The reset button will "trip" or disengage when the thermostat fails to turn off the electricity to the element(s). It is preset to disengage at around 190 degrees F.
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High-Limit Switch
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A failed thermostat and/or element may allow the heating element(s) to continue to heat the water. The reset switch will shut off the electricity if water reaches the preset high-limit temperature.
Reset Button
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An activated reset button indicates a problem. Safely determine the cause and fix it, then press the reset button to reset the high-limit temperature switch.
Call a Professional
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If the reset button pops back out, you may have a bigger problem on your hands, one that will probably require a professional to fix.
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