A.O. Smith TC-049R3 Service Handbook page 42

RESIDENTIAL GAS AND ELECTRIC WATER HEATER
Residential Electric – continued
C-2 – service "Water Too Hot" – continued
Grounded Element Check – Amperage Method
Grounded Element Test – using "clamp type" Amperage Meter. Many multimeters
could be used to conduct this test but be certain that possible amperage will not exceed
the multimeter's limit.
Complaint:
becomes
excessively hot
the heater.
Amperage measures the flow of current through a wire.
Watts divided by volts = Amps
Conditions:
Thermostat is satisfied
59T4000
Test around red wire then black wire to element.
If ...
amperage is noted (indicating flowing power)
amperage is not noted
A.O. Smith Water Products Company
©2005
SERVICE HANDBOOK
A grounded element is suspected whenever the water temperature
and/or the end user
must push the high limit reset
Power on
... then
replace the element.
the element is not grounded.
41
to reactivate
89T13
Technical Training Department
Ashland City, TN