Troubleshooting Chart
Symptom Problem Solution
MAINTAINING YOUR HEATER
WARNING!
Before removing grill, turn the electrical power off at the electrical panel
board (circuit breaker or fuse box). Lock or tag the panel board door to prevent someone
from accidentally turning the power on while you are working on the heater. Failure to do
so could result in serious electrical shock, burns, or possible death.
WARNING:
Any other service not detailed in this Owner’s Guide should be performed by an autho-
rized service representative.
*CONSULT LOCAL ELECTRICAL CODES TO DETERMINE WHAT WORK MUST BE PERFORMED BY QUALIFIED
ELECTRICAL SERVICE PERSONNEL.
Maintenance As Needed, or every six months minimum.
1. It is important that you verify power has been turned off and no
power is going to the heater before proceeding. Circuit breakers
are often not marked correctly and turning the wrong breaker off
could mean electricity is flowing to the heater, even if the heater
does not appear to be working. If you are uncomfortable working
with electrical appliances, unable to follow these guidelines, or do
not have the necessary equipment, consult a qualified electrician.
2. Once you verify the power has been turned off correctly, pro-
ceed to the next step.
3. Remove thermostat knob (if any), screws and take off grill.
4. Wash grill with hot soapy water and dry immediately.
5. Remove the screws securing the heater assembly to the open-
ing, then pull heater out of opening.
6. Remove the four screws securing the lid to the top of the heater
assembly, remove lid.
7. Thoroughly vacuum accumulated dust, lint or other debris from
blower wheel and heater outlet. Important: Be careful not to dam-
age the blower wheel, and do not allow the blower wheel to spin
freely when vacuuming.
8. Do not lubricate motor.
9. Install lid and slide heater assembly back into opening. Secure
heater assembly to opening, then install grill and thermostat knob
(if equipped).
10. Turn power back on at the electrical panel board.
Breaker trips
immediately
upon energizing
heater.
1. Incorrect supply voltage.*
2. Overloaded circuit.*
3. A short circuit exists in the supply
or heater wiring.*
4. Defective circuit breaker.*
1. Verify that supply voltage matches the heater rating.
2. The total amperage of all heaters on a branch circuit must not be more than
80% of the amperage rating of the circuit breaker and supply wire ratings. Use a
lower wattage heater, or reduce the number of heaters on the circuit.
3. Shorted supply or heater wires may be accompanied by severe sparking.
Inspect all supply and heater wiring insulation for damage. Do not reset the circuit
breaker until all electrical shorts have been repaired.
4. Replace the circuit breaker.
Heater fan op-
erates, but does
not discharge
warm air.
1. Insufficient element temperature.
2. Incorrect supply voltage.*
3. Element has failed.*
1. Allow a few moments for element to reach operating temperature.
2. Verify that supply voltage matches the heater rating.
3. Replace element.
Heater will not
shut off.
1. Heat loss from room is greater than
heater capacity.*
2. Defective thermostat.
3. Thermostat wired incorrectly to
heater.*
1. Close doors and windows. Provide additional insulation, or install a higher
wattage heater or multiple heaters if necessary. (If your circuit is rated for more
capacity.)
2. Adjust thermostat to its lowest setting. If heater continues to run (allow two
minutes for the thermostat to respond), and room temperature is greater than 50˚;
replace the thermostat.
3. Refer to thermostat documentation and correct wiring.
Heater dis-
charges smoke
or emits a burnt
odor.
1. Dust, lint or other matter has
accumulated inside heater.
2. Poor or loose electrical connec-
tions.
1. Clean heater (see “Maintenance” section above for instructions).
2. Turn off power at circuit breaker. Inspect all supply and heater wire connections
to make sure nothing is loose or poorly connected. Secure or reconnect all loose
connections. Do not reset circuit breaker until all connections have been checked
and repaired.
Element heats
for a moment
without the fan
turning, then im-
mediately stops
heating.
1. Defective motor or internal
connection.*
2. Fan or motor jammed.
1. Heater or fan motor requires replacement.
2. Remove obstruction and press heater manual reset button (see “Operating”
section for instructions).
Heater does not
run.
1. Thermostat set too low.
2. Heater has tripped the manual
reset temperature limit control.
3. Power not on at the circuit breaker.
4. Broken or poorly connected wire(s)
to heater.
5. Defective thermostat.
1. Adjust thermostat to a higher temperature until heater operates (see Problem #5
if the problem persists).
2. Press the manual reset button (see “Operating” section for instructions).
3. Turn on the correct circuit breaker in the main panel.
4. Turn off power at circuit breaker. Check supply wire continuity and proper con-
nection to heater wires.
5. The entire heater, or any of its components may be checked for continuity to
determine the cause of any problems. Repair or replace the heater or thermostat.
Heater contin-
ually trips the
manual reset
temperature
limit control.
1. Dust, lint or other matter has accu-
mulated inside heater.
2. Airflow is blocked.
3. Fan or motor is jammed.
4. None of the above.
1. Clean heater (see “Maintenance” section for instructions).
2. Remove obstruction. Maintain a minimum distance of 6 inches from any inside
corner or adjacent surfaces, and 3 feet from furniture or other objects placed
directly in front of the heater.
3. Remove obstruction, and press heater manual reset button (see “Operating”
section for instructions).
4. Replace heater assembly.
©2014 Cadet Printed in USA Rev 05/14 #720085
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