Comments on: How do I check the power at the breaker box for power to the water heater? http://www.renewable-energy-at-home.com/uncategorized/how-do-i-check-the-power-at-the-breaker-box-for-power-to-the-water-heater How you can save with renewable energy at home Thu, 10 Jun 2010 07:41:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Breath on the wind http://www.renewable-energy-at-home.com/uncategorized/how-do-i-check-the-power-at-the-breaker-box-for-power-to-the-water-heater/comment-page-1#comment-367 Breath on the wind Mon, 26 Jan 2009 10:06:59 +0000 http://www.renewable-energy-at-home.com/power/how-do-i-check-the-power-at-the-breaker-box-for-power-to-the-water-heater#comment-367 Your electric water heater is going to be (US & Canada) 220. It is possible that one leg of the power coming into the house is "out" or with reduced voltage. This may be a bad breaker of the "surge" may have damaged some equipment in the street. The result would be some outlets/fixtures in the house would not function properly. To check the power you will need a voltmeter and it would not be a bad idea to get is coupled with an amprobe (though it will be more expensive) Checking the power requires taking the cover off and applying the probes to the bare conductors being tested. Using the amprobe is a matter of clipping a conductor while it is live for a reading of amperage. The light sticks to test "power" may give a false reading if the voltage is not correct. Additionally they are not going to give a complete picture. As you can see you are dealing with a close proximity to exposed conductors. If you are not comfortable with this or are unsure of what you are doing as the question suggests perhaps it would be wise to call an expert in to check. He will come not only with his meters but with his experience.<br><b>References : </b><br> Your electric water heater is going to be (US & Canada) 220. It is possible that one leg of the power coming into the house is "out" or with reduced voltage. This may be a bad breaker of the "surge" may have damaged some equipment in the street. The result would be some outlets/fixtures in the house would not function properly.

To check the power you will need a voltmeter and it would not be a bad idea to get is coupled with an amprobe (though it will be more expensive) Checking the power requires taking the cover off and applying the probes to the bare conductors being tested.

Using the amprobe is a matter of clipping a conductor while it is live for a reading of amperage.

The light sticks to test "power" may give a false reading if the voltage is not correct. Additionally they are not going to give a complete picture.

As you can see you are dealing with a close proximity to exposed conductors. If you are not comfortable with this or are unsure of what you are doing as the question suggests perhaps it would be wise to call an expert in to check. He will come not only with his meters but with his experience.
References :

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