No, for several reasons.

1) The heat transfer of air and water is different. A heater element
in water will distribute the heat a lot faster. Heater in air will
rise temperature very fast.

2) The thermostat is touching the wall of the tank. The heater element
is inside the tank. If the element comes on surrounded by air, there
isn't enough heat transfer to the thermostat. The thermostat stays
cool, and the element fries.

--

Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
..

"GINO" wrote in message
.. .
I replaced a top element on an electric water heater ( double element)
at
the cottage. We use lake water that is pumped up to a holding barrel
above
the heater then feeds the heater. After replacing the element it took
quite
a long time ti get water to run through the system to the tap, air
pockets I
guess. The new element burned after a short while , it may have been
due to
the air pockets and not much water in the top part of the tank.

Question: this heater has a thermostat for top and bottom element,
should it
not turn off the element if it gets to hot , either if water is
present or
not?