Bradford White ES-2400-1-S-10, ES-3000-1-S-10, ES-3000-3-S-10, ES-3500-1-S-10, ES-3500-4-S-10 Troubleshooting Manual

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

ELECTRIC INSTANTANEOUS TANKLESS WATER HEATER

ES-2400-1-S-10 120V
ES-3000-1-S-10 120V
ES-3500-1-S-10 120V
ES-3000-3-S-10 208V
ES-4100-2-S-10 208V
ES-3500-4-S-10 240V
ES-4100-5-S-10 277V
ES-3000-5-S-10 277V

All information necessary to troubleshoot

this water heating unit is contained in this fully

illustrated guide. If problems still exist after

reading and carrying out the instructions in

this

m

anual, contact Technical Service at the

toll free number below for assistance.

PH

ONE TOLL FREE

1-800-334-3393

Single Point
“ES”- MODELS

238-43141-00 Rev. 5/02

GENERAL

UP

UP

This is how your “ES” model should look when mounted correctly on the wall.

other mounting configuration will prevent the unit from operating properly.

Any
If the unit is mounted correctly and still does not produce hot water, look to see if the

indicator light illuminates when the hot water faucet is fully opened.
If the indicator light illuminates, turn to page 6.

If the indicator light does not illuminate, turn to page 3.
Other possible situations turn to page 7.

Water outlet/inlet (Top)

Water outlet/inlet (Top)

Out In

U.L. rating label

Indicator
light

light
Serial number

Model # = Order Ref. #

Model # = Order Ref. #

2

The indicator light does not illuminate (When the hot water faucet is fully

opened):

STEP ONE:

Is the circuit breaker switched ON at the main circuit breaker panel?
YES Go to Step two
NO Run water at the hot water faucet, for a couple

of minutes, before
breaker. Then turn on the circuit breaker at the
main circuit breaker panel.

STEP TWO:

The unit will not heat unless sufficient water is flowing through the unit.
The minimum acceptable flow rate is about 0.5 gallons per minute (1/2
gpm). Measure the flow rate using the following procedure:

Fill a 1-gallon “milk” container and, using only water from the hot water
outlet, record the time (In seconds) required to fill. To calculate flow
rate, divide the number of gallons the container holds (In this case one
gallon) by the time required to fill.

e.g. If it takes 87 seconds to fill the container the flow rate would be:
Flow rate(gpm) = v/t x 60 = (1 gallon/87 sec.) x (60 sec./1 min.) = .69 gpm

Now, run the water with the faucet open fully. If the indicator light still does not
illuminate, then proceed to STEP THREE.

turning on the circuit

Aerator - Fits on the orifice of the faucet.

Male/female threaded adapter on top of
aerator.

Flow restrictor - (may be removed to
increase flow)

3

STEP THREE:

In the brass outlet

fitting there is a flow restrictor, this is a little black plug.
Shut the water off to the unit and then remove the plug from the fitting. Open
the faucet fully to see if the light illuminates with water flowing through the
unit.

UP

SP MODELS

OUTLET

INLET

0.5 gpm flow regulator
(The little black plug)

inlet filter

If the unit now operates with water flowing, call Technical Service at
1-800-334-3393. Describe what actions were taken and a selection of “flow
restrictors” will be sent to you to replace the one that was removed. This will allow
the unit to operate, but will also control the flow rate to provide the correct rise in
temperature.

If the unit still does not work proceed to step 4.

4

STEP FOUR:

A multimeter / voltmeter is required

to perform the following test.

VAVAV

A

DANGER!
TURN OFF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER BEFORE
PROCEEDING WITH THE NEXT TESTS

Set the meter to the single Ohms setting
Do not

Remove the front cover of the unit. At the end of the black heater body there are
two threaded silver rods with brass nuts on them (Where the wires connect). Take a
reading of the ohms value between these two rods and write it down (See figure
below).

measure continuity, this will not work.

The Ohm Symbol

(The upside down horseshoe)

Ω

NOTE: BE SURE THE ELECTRICITY IS TURNED OFF TO THE UNIT

If the reading is less then 20 ohms on the
single (Rx1) scale or the (Rx10) scale, then
the element is good, if it is much
e.g. 10,000 ohms or if you get a reading on
the “Rx1k, you will need to replace the
element. To do this, contact Technical
Service at 1-800-334-3393 for replacement
elements (Please write down the
resistance value before contacting
Technical Service. This will be very useful
to us. Also, have the order ref. and serial
numbers for your unit available for
Technical Service).

greater.

5

The indicator light illuminates but water is not heated or the
water temperature is too low:

STEP ONE:
The water flow is too high. Reduce the water flow using the faucet.

With experimentation, an increase in temperature should be observed.

Make sure the aerator supplied with the heater is attached to the faucet;
these are integral for proper performance of the unit. If the special aerator is
not included, call Technical Service at 1-800-334-3393 and one will be
shipped to you. BE CAREFUL, THE WATER EXITING THE FAUCET

IS HOT. SCALD INJURY CAN OCCUR FROM THE HOT WATER.
STEP TWO:

Make sure the unit is connected to the voltage supply specified on the U.L.
rating label located on the front cover of the unit.

STEP THREE:
Proceed to page five and follow STEP FOUR.

6

Other possible solutions:

STEP ONE:
Make sure the printed circuit board is mounted in the correct position. This is the top

set of mounting holes (See diagram below). Failure to mount the PCB in the correct
position will cause element burn out and may cause further damage to the unit (This
board may have been incorrectly positioned if serviced previously).

NOTE: BE SURE ELECTRICITY IS TURNED OFF BEFORE PROCEEDING.

Inlet filter

The correct mounting holes
for the PCB on an “ES,EFC,
or EFT” model.

Board mounted in correct

position

STEP TWO
Inspect the inlet filter (See diagram above for location). Make sure the inlet filter

screen is free from debris, pipe dope or any other foreign materials that may prevent
adequate water flow.

IF HAVING CARRIED OUT ALL THE TESTS LISTED ABOVE AND THE WATER
HEATING UNIT IS STILL NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, PLEASE CALL
TECHNICAL SERVICE AT 1-800-334-3393.

PLEASE HAVE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AVAILABLE:

1) ORDER REF. NUMBER (Located on U.L. rating label on the front cover of unit).

2) SERIAL NUMBER (Inside unit on back plate).

7