Electric water heater problem
#1
03-07-19, 01:20 PM
Electric water heater problem
this is a odd one with the elements all connected I’m not getting any voltage reading from L1/L3 but when no elements are connected I’m showing around 201v with 2 4500w elements it should be 240? I’m wondering if the breaker is bad which is causing a drop in voltage? I’ve heard a sizzle sound when turning it back on but it only lasts about 1 sec or so. They are CH tan breakers double pole 20A
#5
03-08-19, 07:22 PM
Group Moderator
You're cooking the breaker. Maximum continuous load should be no more that 16A on a 20A circuit. That water heater is using close to 19A. It should be connected with #10 wiring on a 2P30A breaker.
#6
03-10-19, 03:27 PM
Member
I wonder how hard is it to get a replacement?
If you still have the bad breaker, take it to any Eaton/Cutler-Hammer distributor for an across the counter free replacement if it is really bad and just wasn't tripping on overload.
Regardless, PJ is right, you had the breaker overloaded. You can get by with a 25 amp breaker, but I always recommended using 30 amp breakers.
