O/T Water heater problems

[old]

I pretty sure I know what is wrong but figured I'd ask here to see what you guys think. Wife went to get some hot water this morning and the breaker had tripped. I flipped it back on and then about an hour later it popped again. Turned it back on and so far it still is on. I'm guessing the lower element is probably going bad or has limed up. So what do you guys think?? This is about 5-7 years old and has never had the elements changed so I figure its the most likely cause of the problem.
Thanks
Oh by the way 2007 is still kicking me in the @$$. Washing machine broke yesterday also but I got if fixed already but now the water heater is messing up
Hobby farm

 

[Bob]

It sure could be a shorted lower element.

When cold, the upper element comes on, 'til the top thermostat shuts it off, then switches over to the lower element, which COULD explain the tripping after one hour.

A bad breaker, or a poor connection at the breaker could cause the breaker to trip after an hour, too.

Shut breaker off, disconnect BOTH wires at lower element, safely insulate them (tape), then turn the breaker back on. If it no longer trips, you'll know the lower element is bad, and, with it disconnected, you'll still have hot water 'til you get around to replacing it, only a smaller quantity before you run out of hot water.

It wouldn't hurt to look at the unit's current draw with a clamp-on ammeter, either.

 

[Rich Va]

Well they say when it rains it pours. I had the same problem with my water heater about 4 years ago. Replaced both elements and thermostats,no problems since. Those parts are not expensive so I figured might as well do it all. Is Noland available in your area,they're very good for matching these kind of parts.

 

[old]

Wish I had a clamp on amp meter but I don't. Sure would be a nice thing to have at times but I guess theres always a tool out there that would be nice to own. I figure since I need to go to town any how I'll just buy a new element and have it one hand so if it keeps doing the breaker thing just put it in. I think I'll try to get a sand hog brand because of the life time warrenty one them
Hobby farm

 

[Coloken]

Probable element shorted to water. Corroded hole in element. Got an ohm meter? measure from power connection to tank . POWER DISCONECTED OF COURSE. They are usually easy to replace.

 

[johnand cindy]

Turn OFF the power check for voltage with a VOM carefully disconnect the wires from the lower element turn VOM to OHMs 200 scale measure across element if 0 or no resistance bad element. Measure one side to good ground if 0 or low resestance bad element its hard to know how to explain not knowing if you have a digital meter or analog style. While you have the tank empty and after the element is replaced flush out the tank to remove any sediment that may have accumulated also replace the sacrifical zink anode about $15.00 at home ctr. Hope this helps. John

 

[deere40]

Old I had the same problem did'n have ohm meeter electrian told me to take red wire lose then sorta touch it to the stud you take it off of if it sparked it was good.This Electrian all so checked 110 by thouching it.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Old, If you have a lot of mineral in your water like I do, then getting a low density element will give much longer life and even run cheaper.
The low density element is the kind that extends almost to the other side of the tank then doubles back on itself almost to the other side of the tank for almost twice the surface area of a standard element. The low density element spreads the watts/heat over almost twice as much surface area so mineral buildup can be very heavy before the element overheats and bursts the outer housing or burns out.