16
TEMPERATURE REGULATION
TEMPERATURE REGULATION
Water temperature over 125°F (52°C)
can cause severe burns instantly
resulting in severe injury or death.
Children, the elderly and the
physically or mentally disabled are at
highest risk for scald injury.
Feel water before bathing or shower-
ing.
Temperature limiting devices such as
thermostatic point-of-use mixing
valves must be installed when
required by codes and to ensure safe
temperatures at fixtures.
THE WATER HEATER IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ADJUSTABLE
THERMOSTAT TO CONTROL WATER TEMPERATURE. HOT WATER
AT TEMPERATURES DESIRED FOR AUTOMATIC DISHWASHER
AND LAUNDRY USE CAN CAUSE SCALDS RESULTING IN SERIOUS
PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR DEATH. THE TEMPERATURE AT
WHICH INJURY OCCURS VARIES WITH THE PERSON’S AGE AND
TIME OF EXPOSURE. THE SLOWER RESPONSE TIME OF CHILDREN
, AGED OR DISABLED PERSONS INCREASES THE HAZARD TO
THEM. NEVER ALLOW SMALL CHILDREN TO USE A HOT WATER
TAP, OR TO DRAW THEIR OWN BATH WATER. NEVER LEAVE A
CHILD OR DISABLED PERSON UNATTENDED IN A BATHTUB OR
SHOWER.
It is recommended that lower water temperatures be used to avoid
the risk of scalding. It is further recommended, in all cases, that
the water temperature thermostats (See Temperature Adjustment)
be set for the lowest temperature which satisfies your hot water
needs. This will also provide the most energy efficient operation of
the water heater.
Burn Hazard
If you choose a higher temperature
setting, install thermostatic mixing
valves at each point-of-use to help
avoid scalding.
Temperature Adjustment shows the approximate time-to-burn
relationship for normal adult skin. The thermostats on your water
heater have a linear relationship between degrees of angular rotation
and the corresponding change in temperature. Thus rotating the
temperature adjustment indicator 30 angular degrees will result in
a 10 degree Fahrenheit change in water temperature.
Table 4. Burn Time at Various Temperatures
Water Temperature
°F (°C)
Time for 1st Degree
Burn
(Less Severe Burns)
Time for Permanent
Burns
2nd & 3rd Degree
(Most Severe Burns)
110 (43)
(normal shower temp.)
116 (47)
(pain threshold)
116 (47)
35 minutes
45 minutes
122 (50)
1 minute
5 minutes
131 (55)
5 seconds
25 seconds
140 (60)
2 seconds
5 seconds
149 (65)
1 second
2 seconds
154 (68)
instantaneous
1 second
(U.S. Government Memorandum, C.P.S.C., Peter L. Armstrong, Sept. 15, 1978)
Burn Hazard
To reduce the risk of unusually hot
water reaching the fixtures in the
house, install thermostatic mixing
valves at each point of use.
TEMPERATURE ADJUSTMENT
A-8 circuit thermostats are adjustable from approximately 120°F
(49°C) (lowest setting) to 181°F (83°C) (highest setting). The C-2
circuit thermostat is adjustable from approximately 110°F (43°C)
to 170°F (77°C). These thermostats are set from the factory at
approximately the 140°F (60°C) setting. The over temperature device
(ECO high limit) attached to each thermostat has a manual reset.
L1
L3
L4
T2
T4
L2
T1
THERM O DISC
89T
RESET
RESET
181°F
83°C
60°C
49°C
120°F
140°F
L1
L3
L4
T2
T4
L2
T1
THERM-O-DISC
RESET
170°F
140°F
110°F
RESET
Figure 3. A-8 Thermostat
Figure 4. C-2 Thermostat
Note:
It is not necessary to adjust the upper thermostat for a dual
element unit. However, if it is adjusted above the factory set
point 140°F (60°C) it is recommended that it not be set higher
than the lower thermostat setting.
Printed on 7/25/2022 7:17 AM CT
