What would cause a water heater reset button to trip?

Does it feel like your electric tank water heater is playing tricks on you? One moment it’s working, then next, it’s turned off. And no matter how many times you reset the system, you keep ending up with less-than-hot water. It sounds like you may be dealing with a tripping reset button. In this article, we’ll help you figure out what’s causing this annoying issue. 

What does the reset button of a water heater do?

The reset button goes by other names such as the energy cut-off (ECO) or high limit control. Often, it’s a red button typically located on the thermostat of an electric water heater. The button is part of a built-in safety device that cuts energy to the water heater if the internal water temperature gets dangerously high – above 150°F. When this happens, usually all you have to do is press the reset button, and if the water is cool enough, the water heater will turn back on.

In some cases, the water heater reset button will repeatedly trip. This is a warning sign of a larger issue such as a faulty thermostat, loose wiring, corroded parts, a grounding problem, or a malfunctioning high limit switch. 

Common reasons why a water heater’s reset button trips

1. Faulty thermostat – If the thermostat fails, a heating element can get stuck on, leading to extremely hot water. It’s also possible that the thermostat is still on but not reading the temperature accurately. Obviously, this can impact the water temperature. Replacing the thermostat should fix this issue.

1. Loose wiring – The connections of wires can loosen up over time or due to improper installation. This can be a dangerous situation because the wires can burn, melt, or smoke – and the heat can trigger the reset device. You’ll need to repair or replace the wire to prevent this problem from recurring.

1. Corrosion – If moisture leads to corrosion of internal parts, including the thermostat, it can affect the performance and safety of the water heater.

1. Grounding issue – If the heating element is shorted to the ground, it can lead to high water temperatures and cause the reset button to trip. It’s best to have a professional fix the electrical situation. 

1. Faulty switch – Last, but not least, the high limit switch itself could be malfunctioning and causing the tripping issue. 

Have a plumber fix your water heater

It can be frustrating and anxiety-inducing when the reset button keeps tripping on your water heater. As you learned today, there can be several explanations. The best solution is to bring in the experts at Waldman Plumbing. We can pinpoint the reason your unit is turning off and provide high-quality repair service to fix the problem. Schedule an appointment today at (781) 780-3184.

• Published at May 28, 2021
• Category: Water Heater

Your water heater reset button is a safety device that shuts off power to your water heater when the water temperature inside it exceeds 180 degrees Fahrenheit.

Side note: the reset button is also sometimes referred to as the ECO (emergency cut off) switch or “high limit safety thermostat switch”. 

So, what’s causing the button to keep tripping? There are a number of possible underlying problems. We’ll show you the 4 most common.

Note: We highly recommend hiring a licensed plumber to take care of any repairs on your water heater.

Reason #1: Bad thermostat

Electric water heaters have 2 thermostats and 2 heating elements. There is an upper and lower thermostat/element pairing as seen in the diagram below.

Diagram of electric water heater. Photo courtesy: Waterheatertimer.org

The thermostat’s job is to monitor the temperature of the water in the tank and shut off the heating element when it reaches your set temperature.

But when a thermostat goes bad, it sometimes gets “stuck” and doesn’t turn off the element it serves. This allows the element to keep heating the water until the reset button trips. If this is the problem, you’ll need to replace the thermostat.

Reason #2: Loose electrical connection

Loose electrical connections are a hazard no matter where they occur. The high resistance caused by a loose wire produces a substantial amount of heat that can eventually cause fires.

If there is a loose electrical connection within your water heater’s system, your reset button’s thermometer can trip (regardless of the water’s temperature) if it picks up the heat from that loose wire.

Reason #3: Bad heating element

A short in one of the heating elements allows power to flow through the element even after the thermometer shuts off its power.

This means the heating element is still working and will continue to increase the water temperature, eventually tripping the reset button.

Reason #4: Bad reset button

Just like all parts of the water heater, the reset button will eventually suffer from wear and tear. This can cause it to perform less effectively and continually trip regardless of the temperature of the water in the tank.

The reset button is actually part of your upper thermostat. So, if this is the problem, you’ll need to replace the whole thermostat.

So, how do I know which is causing the reset button to trip?

Diagnosing this problem on your own is tricky and dangerous because you’re dealing with 240 volts of electricity.

Unless you’re experienced with wiring and electrical components, we suggest leaving it to a professional to pinpoint your specific issue. The good news is that a professional can both test and repair your water heater.

If you’re in the Atlanta area and are in need of a professional plumber to repair your water heater, schedule your appointment with Mr. Plumber today.

Related Reading:

• 3 Signs Your Water Heater Will Go Bad Soon
• Should I Repair or Replace my Old Water Heater?

Mr. Plumber is headquartered in Marietta, Georgia and has three locations to serving the Atlanta metro area.

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