GE water heater controller voltage

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KeithR

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I have a 40 gal GE "Profile" "Smart" water heater, about 5 to 7 years old.
Trying to trouble shoot shortage of HW,and discover voltage to the top element is 240v, but the bottom element is only getting 120V.
Do I need to replace the top controller which feeds to the bottom one or is it meant to do this?
 

DonL

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I have a 40 gal GE "Profile" "Smart" water heater, about 5 to 7 years old.
Trying to trouble shoot shortage of HW,and discover voltage to the top element is 240v, but the bottom element is only getting 120V.
Do I need to replace the top controller which feeds to the bottom one or is it meant to do this?


What is your Model Number ?


Good Luck.
 

KeithR

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I think I need to study it a bit closer before jumping to conclusions. My first observation was with wires disconnected from both elements. I drained and re-fillled the tank.
Now with the top element connected, there is zero voltage at the bottom element. Does the controller cycle back and forth so only one element is on at a time?
 

DonL

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I think I need to study it a bit closer before jumping to conclusions. My first observation was with wires disconnected from both elements. I drained and re-fillled the tank.
Now with the top element connected, there is zero voltage at the bottom element. Does the controller cycle back and forth so only one element is on at a time?


Normally, Yes it does work that way.


Did you have power off when you drained it ?
 

KeithR

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OH yes!
I just checked resistance. Top is 20K ohms & bottom is 7K ohms. (They are supposed to be the same!)
Both are infinity to ground.
 

KeithR

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So two new elements and we have hot again! Thanks for comments Rocket Scientist
 

hj

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An element will ONLY register 120 v. when it is burned out. It also does not heat when that happens so only the upper element operates to heat the water at the top of the tank, giving you a short supply.
 

DonL

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An element will ONLY register 120 v. when it is burned out. It also does not heat when that happens so only the upper element operates to heat the water at the top of the tank, giving you a short supply.


Sounds like both elements were Open. If the posted readings are correct.

That is a bit strange, unless power was applied with no water in the tank. Or one element has been bad for awhile.
 
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kahnman

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Hi Keith. I am having the same problem with my exact same model water heater. I did a search of the model on the GE support and parts site and no results. Do you still have the element part numbers and where you ordered them from? Thanks.
 
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