electric water htr

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electric water htr
Author: staplez761 (AR) If you have an electric water heater and the heater is on but the water is off (but was on recently) will the water heater burn up? If so there should be a breaker directly to the heater right?
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Re: electric water htr

Author: Fixitangel (NC)

You can leave a water heater on and cut off the water to it, and the heater will not burn out IF you DO NOT drain the water level down (as in making repairs, draining the sediment from the tank, or replacing the unit with a new one.) This can expose the element(s) and cause them them to burn out.

Yes, all water heaters are connected to circuit breakers to prevent electrical shock and overloads from ground shorts; but they are not designed to prevent elements from burning out if they are NOT submerged in water.

It is always best to turn the breaker off before working on a water heater.

The T/P valve is designed to prevent the heater from "blowing up".

Always fill the water heater with water before throwing the breaker back on.

Edited 1 times.

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Re: electric water htr
Author: hj (AZ) If you do NOT drain the water out of the heater, using the valve at the bottom. Nothing will happen. You DO have a circuit breaker just for the heater. It is inside your breaker panel box. Edited 1 times.
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Re: electric water htr
Author: KCRoto (MO) Also, if the water will be off to the premises, you should shut the electricity off to the heater. you will be paying for hot water that can't be used.
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