How to Check the Continuity on a Water Heater Element
Verify that your water heater elements are working properly by checking them for continuity. Continuity means that electricity can travel from one end of the element to the other end without interruption. If electricity can travel through the heating element without any problems, the element is working properly. If electricity is not able to travel through the heating element, the element has shorted out and must be replaced. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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1
Shut off the electricity to the water heater.
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2
Remove the screws holding the upper and lower access panels in place and remove the panels. The heating elements are located below each thermostat.
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3
Loosen the two screw terminals on each element with your screwdriver and remove the wires from the terminals.
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4
Set your multimeter to 1x and touch one probe to one screw terminal and the other probe to the other screw terminal. If your multimeter registers any reading at all, the element has continuity and is still good. If it doesn't register a reading, replace the heating element. Repeat this step with the second heating element.
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5
Now set your multimeter to 100x. Touch one probe to the element mounting bracket, and with the other probe, touch each screw terminal. If you don't get a reading on your multimeter, the heating element is in good condition; any reading at all on your multimeter indicates that the heating element has shorted out and needs replacing. Repeat this step with the second heating element.
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6
Reconnect the water heater wires that you removed in step three to the screw terminals and tighten the screws snugly. Replace the access covers and turn on the electricity.
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