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Why Do the Hot Water System Heater Elements Burn Out?
by Sophia Anderson BloggerWater heater elements are meant for heating the water at the needed temperature, and so should be prevented from burning out. Here's a guide to keeping you informed.
Electric or gas water heaters are necessary for any household to receive hot water in a continuous flow. Primarily, the electric heaters are dependent on upper and lower metal heating elements for their functionalities to remain intact. Whenever the electrical current is passing through the heating elements, they become hot, which helps in water temperature regulations. A separate thermostat operates these heating elements for properly and accurately controlling.
The heat amount concentrated in square inches is termed watt density. Same wattage inputs' elements could be longer or shorter compared to their counterparts due to a low, medium and high watt density construction. Usually, elements of certain lengths are used for lifting within the water heater tank diameter constraints. Low watt density elements are typically long-lasting compared to the higher watt density elements as the heat gets spread over a greater surface area.
Whatever may be the case, there is a high chance for the heating elements to eventually burn out due to certain reasons, which have to be further looked into by the hot water specialists appointed from a registered firm in Perth.
i.Sediment Build-Up
The water condition of plumbing systems is likely to vary based on location, most of it contains sediments coating the heating elements. As soon as the coating becomes severe, the heating elements eventually stop transferring heat to water, since they experience burnout. This very condition takes place in the bottom element as any particulate matter precipitating from the heated water eventually gathers and gets accumulated on the tank bottom. Once the water conditions start becoming harder, the chemical reactions take place at a faster rate with the heating elements.
ii.Occurrence of Dry Fire
Dry firing is the most common cause of burned-out heating elements. Dry fire occurs when the new water heater installer fails to open a hot water tap while the water heater tank remains filled with water, which subsequently results in bleeding air from the system. With this situation continuing, an air pocket develops in the tank's top portion that exposes the upper heating element to the air. Whenever the heating element is burned in the air pocket, they keep on generating enough heat that melts the copper and causes eventual serious damage to the heater.
iii.Electric Disruptions
As electricity dictates the functionality of the heating elements, these are subjected to the changes likely to take place on the power source. A few electrical problems probable to directly affect the heating elements are the high voltage or power surge generated by the electric utility company. When lightning is striking the power lines further affects the heating elements, which leads to spikes in the electrical system. A frequent solution for this problem is to energize the heating elements at lower voltages.
iv.Power Surge
When a heating element of the water heater is overloaded with the voltage suddenly increasing, then the water heater burns out. Voltage ratings are given to all the elements of a water heater. With the voltages exceeding the element rating, burns it out.
These are the methods for protecting the water heaters from power surges -
a. Installation of a whole home surge protector
b. Unplugging the unit when a storm rages on
c. Regular wiring inspection
d. Fixing the faulty wiring before a major issue turns up
Heating elements are extremely crucial to the hot water supply based on the preferred temperature. Once you find the heating elements are burning and should be saved on time, then immediately turn up to the hot water specialists. With their help, the problem will be solved professionally, safely and legally. Forgo trying anything DIY, and trust the professionals for overall safety.
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About Sophia Anderson 
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205 connections, 0 recommendations, 446 honor points.Joined APSense since, February 8th, 2017, From SYDNEY, Australia.
Created on Jun 16th 2022 00:37. Viewed 250 times.
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