Chosen Solution
I recently replaced my thermostats and elements in my water heater but it’s still not functioning properly. Everything is connected the right way but for some reason I have a constant 120v to my lower element and when the thermostat kicks in I get 240v. When the top element kicks in I still have the 120v to lower element. Any fix or test I can do the figure out the problem? Update (12/29/2018) It’s a Rheem 71 40d b
The heating elements are wired incorrectly or a thermostat is malfunctioning. It sounds like the bottom element is grounded to the shell somewhere, and whichever power line isn’t releasing contact. This can also happen if one of the power line wires and the neutral wire are crossed.
