GSW Electric Water Heate User Manual

FOR YOUR SAFETY

• Do not store or use gasoline or other
flammable vapours and liquids in the
vicinity of this or any other
appliance.

• Installation and service must be
performed by a qualified installer,
service agency or the electric utility.

ELECTRIC WATER HEATER

INSTALLATION AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

Read these instructions thoroughly before starting

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I) Water Pipe Connections ........................................1

II) Power Supply \ Wiring ..........................................1

III) Filling & Draining Tank ..........................................2

IV) Installation Checklist ..............................................2

V) Temperature Adjustment ........................................2

VI) Service And Maintenance ..............................2 to 3

VII)

Trouble-Shooting....................................................3

VIII) Pressure Buildup (Thermal Expansion) ................4

IX) Warranty ................................................................5

PLEASE RETAIN THESE INSTRUCTIONS IN A
SAFE LOCATION FOR FUTURE REFERENCE

WARNING:Improper installation,
adjustment, alteration, service, or
maintenance can cause injury or
property damage. Refer to this
manual. For assistance or additional
information, consult a qualified
installer, service agency, or the
electric utility.

WARNING: If the information in
these instructions is not followed
exactly, a fire or explosion may
result causing property damage,
personal injury or death.

INSTALLATION RECORD

This water heater is protected by a multi-year warranty against leaks
plus a one (1) year warranty on parts.
Record key data here for future reference and prompt service:

Installed By / Purchased From:

Location of Electrical Switch
or Circuit Protector:

Installation Date:

Serial NumberModel Number

Watts

Watts

Watts-Total

Volts

P.S.I.

U.S. Gal.

IF YOU HAVE ANY INSTALLATION, PERFORMANCE
OR OPERATIONAL QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL THE
FOLLOWING NUMBER, PRIOR TO REMOVING THE
WATER HEATER

(if this is a rental water heater please contact the rental
company)

PART NO. 61515 REV. C (03-01)

1-888-GSW-TECH

1-888-479-8324

WATER HEATER

INSTALLATION MANUAL

1. The cold water inlet is identified at the top of the heater (unless bottom

PLUMBING

entry). The hot water connection is also identified at the top of the heater.
Install a shut-off valve in the cold line approximately 3’ from the inlet to
the heater where it is in convenient reach. This valve is for emergency
shut-off and MUST be kept open during the operation of the heater.

2. All nipples contain a plastic lining to minimize corrosion (cold inlet
nipples have double sleeve, hot outlet nipples have a single sleeve). Do
not apply heat to these nipples when making solder connections. Sweat a
piece of tubing to adapter before fitting adapter to nipple.

3. A combination Temperature and Pressure relief valve MUST be installed.
In some cases it is necessary that a Tee be fitted in the top of the heater
which allows the temperature probe to reach into the top of the tank. See
diagram on page 4. No shut-off valve of any kind is permitted between the
tank and the relief valve. The outlet of the relief valve must be piped to a
drain or fixture, and must terminate within 6” of the floor.

1. Check to see that the element marking and nameplate data do correspond

ELECTRICAL

with the electric service available.

a) The junction box where electrical connections are made is located near

the top of the heater, near the upper access door.

2. Install a circuit directly from the main fuse box. This circuit must be the
right size for the length of run and the load (see chart below).

RECOMMENDED FOR AMPERAGE

MAX.

WATTS

1500 20A 10A 10A
3000 35A 20A 20A
3500 40A 20A 20A
4500 30A 25A
5500 35A 35A

The heater must be well grounded.

3. A ground wire must run from the green ground screw provided at the
electrical connection point in the heater junction box to the ground
connection at the service panel.

4. Adequate fusing must be provided at the service entrance as required by
local codes and/or electric utility having jurisdiction. This can be
accomplished with either a circuit breaker or fuse block in the service
panel or a separate disconnect switch, so that electric power can be shut
off easily when working on the heater.

5. Final connections are made at the junction box in the heater. Access to the
junction box is obtained by removing the cover near the knockouts.

6. The heater you have received is internally wired. A specific wiring
diagram is located inside the upper door or for certain models on the
rating plate. All wiring is color-coded and connections must be made as
shown in the wiring diagram

MAX. VOLTS

120V 208V 240V

MAKE SURE HEATER IS COMPLETELY FILLED WITH WATER
BEFORE POWER IS TURNED ON. SEE ‘FILLING TANK’ SECTION.

WIRING

TWO WIRE CIRCUIT FOR NON-SIMULTANEOUS OPERATION.
SINGLE HIGH LIMIT.

The basic operation of a two thermostat system (upper and lower) on a
electric water heater of 240 volts is as follows:
Only one element will come on at any one time. This is known as a flip/flop
system. On a 240-volt water heater, there will always be 120 volts to both
elements. The thermostat will direct the second leg of the 120-volt to the
element to complete the 240 volts required for energizing the element.
Initial Start Up: When the tank is full of cold water, the upper thermostat
will take priority and the top portion of the water will heat up to the setting of
the thermostat. Once that temperature has been reached, the thermostat will
then flip down the 120 volts to the lower thermostat. The thermostat switch
closes and the bottom portion of the tank heats up until the water reaches the
setting on that thermostat. At this point the tank will be full of hot water.
Normal Operation: When hot water is being used, cold water enters the
bottom of the heater (either bottom feed or by diptube), and the bottom
element will begin to heat the cold water. If lots of hot water has been used,
the upper thermostat will take priority and the top portion of the heater will be
heated. Once heated, the thermostat will flip down to the lower thermostat to
heat the lower portion.

1