I was wondering if someone can explain to me how a thermostat in an
electric hot water heater works.

This is a Rheem hot water heater, it has two heating elements. I'm
trying to determine of the thermostat is working right. I get 240
volts to the upper element, but at the lower element and at the
terminals of the thermostat to the lower element I get zero voltage. I
had assumed that they would both be on as long as the water needed
heated?

I have just replaced both of the elements, one was bad as it had zero
resistance, the other I just figured I'd replace. Since I now have the
tank full of water again, I checked the voltage to the elements as
described above. I'm not getting voltage to the lower element or the
lower thermostat for that matter.

When the water in the tank is cold shouldn't I see voltage to both
elements?

Thanks,
Brian

Typically, one leg of the 240 volts, goes to one terminal of both the
upper
and lower elements. The second leg of the 240 volts goes to the upper
thermostat. When the water is cold, it will send power to the upper
element
only. Once the upper thermostat is satisfied, it will disconnect power
from
the upper element, and send it to the lower thermostat, which in turn will
send it to the lower element, until it's satisfied, or heavy water usage
causes the upper thermostat to send power back to the upper element. Only
one element will heat at a time.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

does any maker sell a dual heat at same time? with a 200 amp main both
could probabl;y run at same time.

this would give a big capacity boost



*Shouldn't you be worrying about basic survival needs now that the end is
near. Hot water would only be a memory.