What might be preventing the voltage to reach the lowere heating element?
Answer Hi Jack, Most electric heaters are wired so that the upper element comes on first and heats the upper portion of the tank to it’s temperature setting at which point the lower element will then kick in and begin heating the colder water that is on the bottom of the tank. Remember hot water is lighter than cold water and thus it rises to the top. This is the most effective way for an electric heater to operate. This method allows you to receive hot water quicker than if both elements operated at the same time because this method allows the elements to be at maximun wattage both upper and lower. If both elements operate at the same time they would have to be lower wattage elements and it would be considerably longer before you had useable hot water. Having said this you need to understand that some electric heaters are wired so that both elements are in use at the same time BUT they will be smaller power elements (about 2200 watts) than the normal which is about 4500 watts (like I
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