TM012 Rheem Electric Water Heaters Service Instructions REV: B
Date of Issue: 03/06
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31
Element – Top and Bottom (Procedure 10)
Elevated temperatures may be present during element removal process.
Personal Protective Equipment should be worn to prevent the risk of
scalding.
Personal Protective Equipment should be worn when conducting step 2
of this procedure to reduce the risk of electric shock. Refer to Rheem
Safety Procedure on electrical testing.
When replacing an element on a heater with a cylinder barrel that does
not have an earth tab (refer to page 8) ensure that the metal surround of
the element flange is in direct contact with the cylinder barrel flange thus
ensuring a good Earthing contact and conduct an earth continuity test as
required by AS/NZS 3000 6.3.3.2.
When a fault or leak is traced to the element, the water heater should be drained to
prevent damage to flooring or floor coverings by accidental flooding.
1.
Isolate power and water supplies
and remove the lower access cover
.
2.
Confirm with a multi-meter between each Active and Neutral at the terminal block
that voltage is not present.
3.
Relieve pressure from water heater through the T & PR valve or a hot tap.
4. Drain the water heater. Refer to procedure 1 on page 26.
5. When the water heater is drained, undo the four element screws, removing thermostat
clamp first.
6. Withdraw heating unit. Care must be taken to ensure the loop of the heating unit does
not catch in the cylinder opening and open out inside the cylinder.
NOTE: Do not “cut off” the heating unit and leave a portion inside the cylinder
7. Clean around cylinder fitting, fit gasket to new element and slide heating unit into
cylinder (reverse to step 6) taking care that it is in the correct orientation. See heating
unit plate for directions.
8. Replace screws and thermostat clamp and tighten.
9.
Models manufactured after 7/11/05 without an element flange Earth
tab
.
The earthing of the internal storage cylinder relies on a good
electrical contact between the metal surround of the element flange
and the cylinder barrel flange.
An earth continuity test should be performed whenever an element
or element gasket is replaced, adjusted or serviced in any way. This
continuity test is performed between the heaters internal storage
cylinder and the main earth terminal of the water heater with a
resulting reading of not more than 0.5 ohms as required by AS/NZ
3000 6.3.3.2.
10. Restore cold water supply and fill the storage tank by gently lifting the easing lever on
the T & PR valve until water runs from the drain.
11. Check for water leaks around the element flange.
12. Conduct an electrical insulation test. (Refer to page 25)
13. Replace access cover securely and restore electrical supply.
