This post was first published on 2022-04-10. If you push either of these buttons but they immediately trip and won't reset . Then, unplug it and clean out any blockages or debris in the vents. When the sensorsenses the presence of flammable vapor that may ignite, it goes out of specification mode. Flip the breaker switch back ON: Go ahead and flip the breaker switch ON. Shut off power to your water heater, let it cool down, and clean the vents. Some water heaterslike. A thermal switch is installed in newer gas water heaters as a safety device. When a Bradford White water heater keeps shutting off/going out the issue is usually with the thermocoupler. 7 Flashes = Gas Control Valve Failure. Categories Bradford White Water Heater, Home and Kitchen, Water Heater. The switch is designed to cut off the energy to the heating elements (and stop further water heating) of the electric water heater in the case of . While resetting the thermal switch on your water heater will allow it to operate again, the thermal switch may continue to trip if the underlying problem is not solved.". The switch trips when the water heater temperature goes high. Although a bad thermostat is the most common cause, it's not the only one. Your water heater will malfunction if one or both thermostats go bad, and this can cause the thermal switch to trip. Locate thethermal switchon the manifold door. 01. Disconnect both wiring connections to the sensor. co lb ib Armstrong Air. MSP has been providing solutions for homeowners in the Twin Cities since 1918. I never knew that I could actually hate an inanimate object, but it seems that I can. 3. It's possible that your wiring is loose or compromised in some way. Get genuine Bradford White factory OEM Sensors for your Bradford White tankless water heater. Its good that a water heaters thermal switch can prevent the loose wire from disrupting how the system functions, but if loose wire causes the thermal switch to keep having to be tripped, eventually the switch may wear out. press the button firmly to activate it. Someone help me figure this problem out before I tie a chain to this thing and rip it out of the house, then run over it several times with a large truck. Do you know where your water heater is (attic, garage, basement)? The red reset button found on the thermostat of the heating element is also known as the Energy Cut Off or ECO, and a High Limit Control and is designed as the safety device. View our Privacy Policy here. Power will continue to run to the heating element even if there is a short in the system. It's also important to let the hot water run for a while after a reset so that there are no "dry seams" in. I don't get any error code on the remote so not much help there. However, it is ideal to hire a plumber if there is a blockage deep within either of the vents. Since your reset button can sense the heat generated by the loose wire, it will then trip. When there is an issue with the thermocoupler, it affects the water heaters ability to function properly. http://www.bradfordwhite.com/images/shared/pdfs/manuals/44943A.pdf, http://www.bradfordwhite.com/images/shared/pdfs/partslists/46639B.pdf, http://www.bradfordwhite.com/images/shared/pdfs/specsheets/104.pdf, http://www.bradfordwhite.com/images/shared/pdfs/manuals/238_44219_00G.pdf, Thermal Switch Keeps Tripping on LP Water Heater, 2 x 1-year old Bradford White water heaters leaking from bottom (Photos), Plumbing Forum, Professional & DIY Advice. Then, pull sensor wiring from two terminals of the sensor cap. If during this time you smell gas, immediately stop what youre doing and open all the windows and doors in your home. Continue with Recommended Cookies. What happened to create the issue is the switch was tripped, and it just needs to be reset. Once your water heater has been reset, it may take between 12 and 24 hours for your water heater to resume normal operation. Follow up: I opened it to clean out any dust on the arrestor plate etc. Head to you hot water tank and make sure that the pilot light turned on. Thats it!! Or look for a Tech. When this temperature is reached, the thermal switch will trip, and the water will not get any hotter. In this episode of Repair and Replace, Vance shows how to replace a thermal cutoff switch in a standing pilot water heater. Turning the breaker back to the ON position will correct the problem. and CHANGE THE THERMOCOUPLING while you are at it. Is it a conventional flue or a power vent? When this tube is cracked or broken, it cannot properly move the cold water where it needs to go to get heated. The resetting process for these two valves is far different. When wiring is loose, excess heat will be produced, and then this will cause the water heaters thermal switch to trip. A water heater's thermal switch keeps tripping if a vent is blocked. You could also have a problem with your gas connection, such as poor gas pressure, a dirty vent . As well you'll see how. Excess heat will build up within the system, and you'll need to clean one or both of the vents to increase the airflow. You can use this switch to test to confirm that the incoming electrical power circuit is indeed bringing power to the water heater. I'm installing a tankless water heater, possibly two, and have some venting questions. If any particular ad is your REASON for blocking ads, please let us know. Account Holder? Other wiring issues may arise if you have aluminum wiring in your home and copper wiring in your water heater. Blocked vents at the top and bottom of the water heater cause the system to overheat, which trips the thermal switch. Then, you need to test both elements in the multimeter and replace them if needed. I'm not even sure when this model first came out. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. To correct this problem, simply clear the obstructing debris. MSP Plumbing Heating Air640 Grand Ave St. Paul, MN 55105-3498, HVAC License #MB003372 | Plumbing License #PC642919, 2023 MSP Plumbing Heating Air | Privacy policyCrafted by Rocket Media. A forum community dedicated to Do it yourself-ers and home improvement enthusiasts. Does a broken thermal switch mean thermostat replacement is necessary? A blocked vent can pose a risk to your entire water heater system and home. Matt loves everything DIY. Restore power to your water heater and reset the unit after you clean it so that your thermal switch doesnt continue to trip. What's happening is that the thermostat is not properly managing the heat. If it's not there, it's likely somewhere on the lower part of the water heater. June 2004. water heater re-set. If the flammable vapor sensor of your water heater goes out of specification mode, you need to reset the FVS to erase the error. Take a multimeter to check resistance and set it to the ohms setting. In the heater pilot knob, you will find three settings, A, B, and C, to control the water heater temperature. Just hold them for 5 seconds. This is beneath the burner on the inside of the combustion chamber; youll need to turn off the gas before you do this. First, turn off the power supply to your heater. We will see if he responds back. Remove one of the wires from the thermostat. Yeah, I have seen no mention of this being a product quality problem. If no clicks are heard, try lighting the pilot using the given instructions attached to the unit. At this temperature, your reset button will trip to prevent your water from getting any hotter for safety reasons. $7 delivery Mar 6 - 8 . I'm assuming I can't vent out of the existing 4" lined chimney flue. Here's a list of five possible causes of why hot water is getting too hot and what you can do to fix the problem and avoid similar issues in the future. If the button snaps back into place, the temperature of the water is higher than the limit switch's cutout setting. While a thermostat doesnt have a set lifespan, on average, you can expect them to last at least 10 years. home improvement and repair website. When it malfunctions, the flame isnt detected and the gas valve cannot open. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. No power to your water heater is a stressful problem that can leave you scratching your head as to what could cause the issue. A thermal switch can repeatedly trip on a water heater a thermostat or the heating element is damaged. When to use a manual reset thermostat switch? Excess heat will build up within the system, and youll need to clean one or both of the vents to increase the airflow. This water heater part detects the pilots flame which then causes the gas valve to open. A water heaters thermal switch keeps tripping if a vent is blocked. To reset, depress button on resettable thermal switch located on inner door. Braided Stainless Steel Water Heater Connector with 1,309 reviews and the Watts Hot Water Recirculating System with Built-In Timer with 1,030 reviews. PITA, GET TO THE PART WHERE YOU TALKED TO BRADFORD WHITE. You will get a clicking sound to indicate that it is back ON. The most common problem with this switch is keeping tripped. Stocking the largest selection of appliance parts, heating, plumbing, lighting, and janitorial supplies, AMRE ships almost anywhere in Canada within 24 - 48 hours. So, what should you do when your water heater thermal switch keeps tripping? The major reason for FV sensor failure is sudden changes in the resistance, or there might be faulty wiring. Come join the discussion about tools, projects, builds, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! If you need to reset your tankless water heater, it's probably a safe bet that you'll have to remove the cover to access it. If your Bradford White Water Heater status light is flashing 7 times, understand there is a problem with the flammable vapor sensor. If the hot water heater keeps tripping the reset button, the cause may be the high limit switch. Step 3. Relight water heater pilot, and with newer models, there is a thermal switch to reset. Youll need to replace the thermostat if the thermal switch trips frequently. If youre not comfortable replacing failed parts on your water heater, reach out to a trusted plumber or contact Bradford White customer service for further assistance. JavaScript is disabled. The status light on your water heater is a useful tool that can help quickly alert you to a problem that needs to be addressed. Locate the metal access panel on the side of your hot water heater. If the Status Light now begins to flash, the thermal switch probably tripped. All information is provided "AS IS." After that, disconnect the faulty FV sensor. A bad thermocouple will need replaced as soon as possible. Still, if you face any troubles while resolving this issue, dont hesitate to let us know through comments. It is time to install the new FV sensor in your water heater. Bradford White Parts available through Amre Supply Property Performance Centres. How long does it take for hot water to reset? This post was published on 2022-04-10. Are there manual reset switches and thermal protectors? If the hot water heater keeps tripping the reset button, the cause may be the high limit switch. Inspect the heaters vents and clean the clogged debris from the vents. Before that, ensure the wires are in a well-working condition. In this article, well explore four common reasons why your reset button keeps tripping: Its important to get to the source of the issue and contact a professional who can determine whats causing the exact problem and troubleshoot. If your water heater reset button keeps tripping, the problem may be with the button itself.