Performing the Continuity Test
Before you begin, you want to make sure your tester is working. Touch the leads together to make sure it is working. They have a light or a ping sound on them that should ping, glow or light up when you touch the leads. If the tester fails to light up you will probably need to replace the batteries. If batteries don’t help, you will need to get another tester. One last safety check, use a voltage tester to double check that the power is off.
There are two terminals on the element. To test for continuity, attach the clip to one of the terminals, no it does not matter which one. Touch the lead to the other terminal. The light or ping sound on your tester should light up or buzz depending on the tester that you have. If it does, your element is still able to accept electrical current.
Getting the Right Tester
There are lots of fancy testers out there that can cost quite a bit of money. For this test, you just need a simple continuity tester. All it does is run an electrical charge through the element. If the current goes through and gets back to the tester, it lights up. A continuity tester is different from a voltage tester. A voltage tester relies on the power in the wires to work. Whereas a continuity tester provides its own current via a battery.
NOTE: The tests noted below can also be done with a multi meter.
Shutting Down the Geyser
The first thing you want to do is turn off the power. Shut off the breaker and tag it so that no one turns it back on. Geyser element testing should only be done when the power is off. It is very important to make sure the power is off.
The Element Passed – Next Steps
Passing this test does not necessarily mean that you are out of the woods. Obviously, you are here because you either don’t have enough hot water or you have no hot water. So, if the element passed the continuity test, there is still something wrong. You will also need to test and see if you element is grounding out. See the article, ‘Testing a Water Heater Element for Ground’. This is another simple test that determines whether or not the insulation on the element is still intact. If the element grounds out, it will not work.
What If the Test Fails?
If the test fails, the element is bad and will need to be replaced. There are no other choices, they cannot be repaired and there are no moving parts
Contact us if you are not up to it, and we will dispatch a qualified Plumber to take care of it immediately
011 391 0987 or 011 391 0989
Testing for Ground on the Geyser Element
Testing for ground on geyser elements is a fairly simple test that only takes a few minutes. You should also test for continuity at the same time. These tests require that you shut off the power to the geyser and remove the access panels.
What Does ‘Testing for Ground’ Mean?
Testing for ground on a geyser element is similar to ‘testing for continuity‘. However, the failure is completely different. The metal part of the heating element is kept separate from the metal in the tank by a plastic insulator. If this cracks or loosens, the water in the tank will cause it to short out. If the current goes into the tank and back through the ground wire, the element fails to heat up and you don’t have any hot water. So the term ‘testing for ground’ means to test and see if the element is grounding out into the metal on the tank.
Using the Right Tester
To check for ground you need to use a continuity tester. This is a battery operated tester that runs a small current through a device or wire to see if it is carrying electricity.
NOTE: This test can also be done with a multi meter.
Checking for Ground
Shutting Down the Power – The first thing you need to do is make sure the power to the geyser is off. Go to the DB Board and turn off the breaker for the geyser, it should be marked on the DB Board. It is very important to make sure the power is off.
Accessing the Geyser Element
An electric geyser has one element, there are cover plates on the outside of the tank that are held in place by a couple of screws. Remove the cover plates to get to the element and the thermostat. Typically the element is below the thermostat. The thermostat will have a red reset button on it. There may be some insulation that needs to be pushed back out of the way. See the pictures below to help you identify the element.
Testing the Element for Ground
Checking ground on the geyser element is similar to testing the element. Make sure the power is off before beginning. Double check with a voltage tester. Similar to Step One, the power needs to be off and the wires removed. Clamp one of the terminals to one of the lugs on the element. Touch the other lead to the metal element flange. This time no light is good. If the light glows it means that the element is grounding out and needs to be replaced.
Contact us if you are not up to it, and we will dispatch a qualified Plumber to take care of it immediately
011 391 0987 or 011 391 0989
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