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

Dave_H_M
Explorer II
May 07, 2015
When I needed to do this i went to youtube nd got the straight skinny.
Big_Katuna
Explorer II
May 07, 2015
I disconnect the wires then connect a 12 v battery charger with an analog meter.
It should read about an amp.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
May 07, 2015
2 terminals with 2 wires on element......1 black & 1 white

Test for 'continuity' between the 2 terminals........if no continuity element is bad

Test for 'continuity' between terminal with white wire and flange of element....if you have continuity then element is shorted and bad

IF element test good....then you need to check the AC voltage

Suburban uses AC voltage directly........goes to/thru 120V Set of t-stats (under rubber cover left set of t-stats black wires)

Atwood (your model year) uses 120V AC directly also but element and t-stats are located on backside of water heater .
LittleBill
Explorer
May 07, 2015
if you touch the probes together? the reading should not keep going up
jlscjs
Explorer
May 07, 2015
LittleBill wrote:
jlscjs wrote:
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?

how many "holes" does you meter have 3 or 4? you have to generally move the red test lead to measure resistance

have it in the right hole, using the ohm i read 0 turing it to the continunity i get reading that keep going
LittleBill
Explorer
May 07, 2015
jlscjs wrote:
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?

how many "holes" does you meter have 3 or 4? you have to generally move the red test lead to measure resistance
weasel4
Explorer
May 07, 2015
Is 200 Ohms as low as your meter reading will go?
doughere
Explorer
May 07, 2015
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
jlscjs
Explorer
May 07, 2015
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?
bob213
Explorer
May 07, 2015
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.