Electric Hot Water Heater Thermostat Keeps Tripping

The red reset button found on the thermostat of the heating element is also known as the energy cut off or eco and a high limit control and is designed as the safety device.

Electric hot water heater thermostat keeps tripping.

Your water heater trips the circuit breaker in your house. A thermostat that is stuck closed may be the cause of the reset button tripping repeatedly. Burnt out heating element the heating element is the part of your water heater that heats the water. The most likely cause of the limit switch tripping is a bad thermostat.

When the water temperature in your water heater exceeds 180 the red reset button also known as the high limit switch trips. The water in your water heater is getting too hot. This helps protect you from getting burned or scalded by the excessively hot water. This tripping protects you from getting scalded or burned when using hot water in your home.

Okay with that out of the way let s look at the possible problems that are causing your electric water heater to trip your breaker. Your water heater reset button is a safety device that shuts off power to your water heater when the water temperature inside it exceeds 180 degrees fahrenheit. When a water heater starts tripping the eco repeatedly it s time to call a plumber for service. Here s the most likely problem.

Most electric water heaters have 2 heating elements. Water heaters have a limit switch that keeps the water from exceeding 180. The reset button is also sometimes referred to as the eco emergency cut off switch or high limit safety thermostat switch. Has this ever happened to you.

A thermostat that does not open allows the element to operate continuously thus raising the temperature. Why is my water heater tripping my circuit breaker. When the water reaches 180 the limit switch a little red reset button on the water heater trips. There s a good chance that the water in the tank is dangerously hot and since the problem is usually caused by a failed component it won t get better until the bad part is identified and replaced.

One on top and one on the bottom. First off your electric water heater can actually trip 2 different safety features.