Is there a quick way to use a meter and check to see if my heating element is working? worked last yr, started up this year and will not heat, how can I check to see if current is getting there ( and how much should it be) and then is there a way to see if the unit itself is burnt out??

Remove the leads (wires and connectors) from the water heater element and measure ohms across the two connections on the element. Infinite resistance would mean the element has an open and is not good. Zero ohms would mean the element is shorted and is also bad. I don't know the correct range of resistance for a 120V water heater element but it may be 9-10 ohms.

westend wrote:Remove the leads (wires and connectors) from the water heater element and measure ohms across the two connections on the element. Infinite resistance would mean the element has an open and is not good. Zero ohms would mean the element is shorted and is also bad. I don't know the correct range of resistance for a 120V water heater element but it may be 9-10 ohms.Thanks, what would the ohms reading be if the unit is working or is that possible to tell

I set my meter to 200 ohms(continuity) and read across the two terminals of the element. If I get an infinity reading you have an open and the element is bad. If your reading is "0" it is closed and element should be good.

bob213 wrote:I set my meter to 200 ohms(continuity) and read across the two terminals of the element. If I get an infinity reading you have an open and the element is bad. If your reading is "0" it is closed and element should be good.ok, I have a new meter but I think I'm doing this right. Unhook both wires turn meter to ohms (auto) placed red lead on black terminal and black (com) lead on white wire connection. kept climbing on the ohms meter, good or bad?

If I understand what you are saying;Your meter does not have selectable scales, and the reading keeps rising with the leads on. If that's what is happening, the element is open (bad).Doug

testinfg elec water heater element | Good Sam Community

jlscjs
Explorer
May 07, 2015
westend wrote:
Remove the leads (wires and connectors) from the water heater element and measure ohms across the two connections on the element. Infinite resistance would mean the element has an open and is not good. Zero ohms would mean the element is shorted and is also bad. I don't know the correct range of resistance for a 120V water heater element but it may be 9-10 ohms.

Thanks, what would the ohms reading be if the unit is working or is that possible to tell
westend
Explorer
May 07, 2015
Remove the leads (wires and connectors) from the water heater element and measure ohms across the two connections on the element. Infinite resistance would mean the element has an open and is not good. Zero ohms would mean the element is shorted and is also bad. I don't know the correct range of resistance for a 120V water heater element but it may be 9-10 ohms.

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