O/T Water heater problems part 2

[old]

Well I disconnected the lower element and turned it back on and well about 2 hours later the breaker tripped off again. How likely is it that the upper element has gone bad instead of the lower one?? Or is it maybe a problem with the wiring going to the water heater?? Or is it maybe the aniode??? At this point I don't know for sure where to look. I have been thinking about up gradeing the wiring because if I do I can bring it up from 3800 watts to 4500 on both elements so recovery would be faster so what do you guys think?? And yes I have a digital meter and all the tests I have done say the lower element is good but not sure whats going on with this one/
Thanks for any ideas
Hobby farm

 

[Bob]

I forget... is the CB in the panel tripping, or the limit thermostat in the upper access door on the water heater?

If it's the CB, it certainly could be "bad". Turn off the main, unplug the WH breaker, and look at it's lugs for signs of overheating damage, as well as the tabs where it plugs in. If OK, TIGHTEN the screws where the wires attach, and try it again.

An "Amprobe" certainly would help, to tell what the WH is actually drawing, but you said before you don't have one. Better to find out what's REALLY wrong before just "throwing parts at it".

 

[old]

Its the circuit breaker in the house panel that trips. I can get hot water but after and hour or 2 some times more it just trips off. Nothing I have looked at in the water heater looks bad or looks like it has got to hot and I checked the wires there at least the lower area. I'll check up top a little later and thew wiring going in to it. Shot maybe a mouse got hungry and has caused the problem if so then its new wireing which maybe fun to pull from the breaker panel
Hobby farm

 

[IaGary]

Maybe a weak breaker?

Gary

 

[Anonymous-0]

I saw a water heater where the wire going down to the lower element was shorting to the case. It would have to wear through the insulation for this to happen. After turning the breaker off, you could check your wires for continuity to ground and see if anything turns up.

 

[banjo]

A clamp on ampmeter would sure come in handy about now. you would find out for sure if the waterheater was drawing the right amout of amps or too many.

Or switch out the breaker with one from a different line and see if it trips also.