Hubbell MSE User Manual

OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL FOR

MARINE ELECTRIC WATER HEATER

ELECTRIC HEATER COMPANY

BASE MODEL “ MSE ”

HUBBELL

ELECTRIC HEATER COMPANY

P.O. BOX 288

STRATFORD, CT 06615

PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

INTERNET: http://www.hubbellheaters.com/

-- IMPORTANT --

Always reference the full model number and serial number when calling the factory.

WARNING / CAUTION

1. Tank is to be completely filled with water and all air is to be vented before energizing.

2. Due to the rigors of transportation, all connections should be checked for tightness before heater
is placed in operation.

3. Safety relief valve must be installed in tapping provided.

4. The refractory material used in heating elements may absorb some moisture during transit,
periods of storage, or when subjected to a humid environment. This moisture absorption results
in a cold insulation resistance of less than twenty (20) megohms. If this heater has been
subjected to the above condition, each heating element must be checked for insulation
resistance before energizing. A low megohm condition can be corrected by removing the
terminal hardware and baking the element in an oven at 350°F -700°F for several hours or until
the proper megohm reading is obtained.

5. KEEP AWAY FROM LIVE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS.
Do not perform any maintenance, make any adjustments, or replace any components inside the
control panel with the high voltage power supply turned on. Under certain circumstances,
dangerous potentials may exist even when the power supply is off. To avoid casualties, always
turn the power supply safety switch to off, turn the charge or ground the circuit before
performing any maintenance or adjustment procedure.

6. The unit is designed to operate at pressure not more than 100 psi.

7. Generalized instructions and procedures cannot anticipate all situations. For this reason, only
qualified installers should perform the installations. A qualified installer is a person who has
licensed training and a working knowledge of the applicable codes regulation, tools, equipment,
and methods necessary for safe installation of an electric resistance water heater. If questions
regarding installation arise, check your local plumbing and electrical inspectors for proper
procedures and codes. If you cannot obtain the required information, contact the company.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION TITLE PAGE #

I GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND CONSTRUCTION 5

II INSTALLATION 10

III SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION 14

IV TROUBLESHOOTING 16

V SERVICING AND REPLACEMENT OF PARTS 18

VI MISCELLANEOUS CHARTS AND FORMULAS 26

VII ABS TYPE APPROVAL PROGRAM 28

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4

SECTION I - GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND CONSTRUCTION

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

This book describes a packaged electric water heater, approved by ABS Americas (A Division of the
American Bureau of Shipping) and the USCG (United States Coast Guard), which is a stationary, self
contained unit and is designed and constructed specifically for marine applications on board a surface
vessel. The complete assembly consists of the storage tank, immersion electric heating element(s),
thermostat, safety relief valve, safety high temperature cut out, magnetic contactor(s), and any other
required electrical operating control. Optional equipment may be supplied with your unit. Please
consult the product drawing for details specific to your assembly. The unit is factory assembled,
insulated, jacketed, wired, tested, and ready for electrical and plumbing service connections.

CONSTRUCTION

TANK
Standard Tank Construction:

The standard storage tank is constructed of steel and internally lined with specially formulated
Hydrastone cement to a ½-inch minimum thickness. The tank is designed for a maximum allowable
working pressure of 100 psi (150 psi TP).

Optional Tank Construction:

Optionally, the storage tank may be constructed of all welded solid copper-silicon alloy (ASTM B-96)
or type 316L stainless steel for maximum tank longevity. For these options, no internal lining is
required due to the non-ferrous materials used in the construction of the pressure vessel. The tank is
designed for a maximum allowable working pressure of 100 psi (150 psi TP).

TANK CONNECTIONS

The heater is supplied with separate cold water and hot water connections. Water entering the cold
water inlet is deflected by means of a baffle within the tank. The hot water outlet includes a built in heat
trap to prevent hot water from radiating out from the heater. A ¾-inch FNPT connection is located on
the side of the heater for mounting a combination safety temperature and pressure relief valve. An
overflow line should be installed from the relief valve outlet to a floor drain. A ¾-inch GHT connection
is supplied for draining. See drawing for locations and sizes.

HEATING ELEMENT

The water heater is supplied with an electric immersion heating element assembly(s), composed of
incoloy sheathed elements that are brazed into a brass flange. Each assembly is fastened to a
corresponding tank flange using a gasket and four (4) 3/8-16 x 1-inch long hex head steel bolts and
nuts. See drawing for voltage and power ratings.

5

CONTROL THERMOSTAT

The water heater is supplied with either a surface mounted or immersion thermostatic switch that is
installed and wired at the factory. See drawing for specific details. The surface mounted thermostat can
be adjusted through a range of 110° - 170° F. The immersion thermostat can be adjusted through a
range of 100° - 190° F. Both thermostats are adjustable with a flat tip screwdriver.

Surface Mounted Thermostat

Immersion Thermostat

TEMPERATURE HIGH LIMIT SWITCH

As a safety device, either a surface mounted high temperature cut-off switch with manual reset, factory
set at 190° F, or an immersion high temperature cut-off switch with manual reset, factory set at 180° F,
is provided. In the event of an over-temperature condition, the thermostat will disengage the operating
coils in the magnetic contactor(s). The high limit must be manually reset thereafter to restart the heater.

Manual Reset

Surface Mounted High
Temperature Cut-Off Switch Immersion High Temperature Cut-Off Switch

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MAGNETIC CONTACTOR

The magnetic contactor(s) is a heavy-duty resistive load type rated for 100,000 cycles. The contactor
supplies power to the heating element(s) and is sized based on the resistive load (non-inductive) rating
of the circuit. The contactor supplies power only when the thermostatic switch is engaged, thereby
pulling in the contacts until the desired temperature is reached. At this point, the contacts will drop
out, which in turn disconnects power from the elements.

OUTER SHELL AND INSULATION

The tank is encapsulated in 2-inch thick polyurethane foam insulation. The insulation is protected by a
high impact non-corroding colorized composite protective jacket.

OPTIONS

The following optional features may be included in your water heater. Reference included drawing
specific to your heater for further details.

Low Water Cut-Off

Used as a safety device, the electronic low water cut-off is
used to detect a low water situation and disengage the
operating coils in the magnetic contactor(s). Once the
condition is remedied, the low water cut-off switch is
automatically reset.

Low Water Cut-Off Probe Low Water Cut-Off Relay

7

Fused Low Voltage Transformer

A fused low voltage transformer may be supplied. This option is used to step down higher voltages to
120-volt for the control circuit.

Dial Temperature and Pressure Gauge

A combination temperature (70° - 250° F) and pressure (0 – 200 psi) gauge with 2½-inch dial may be
supplied for in-line installation (shipped loose) or factory installed in the tank.

Vacuum Relief Valve

A vacuum relief valve may be provided with the unit to reduce the risk of back siphonage and back
pressure of the system. The valve will be shipped loose for in-line installation. Instructions for
installation are provided with the valve.

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On/Off Switch

A built-in non-fused On/Off disconnect switch may be supplied with the control panel to disconnect
power to the control panel control and power circuit wiring.

Individually Fused Elements

To prevent the possibility of damage to circuits and elements in case of electrical overloads, fuses may
be supplied for each circuit. Two types of fuses may be used; a type NON for voltages less than 250­volt or type JJS for voltages less than 600-volt.

Type JJS Type NON

Built-in Circuit Breaker

A built-in circuit breaker may be provided with or without shunt trip protection for protection from
circuit overload.

Electro-Mechanical Timer

An electro-mechanical 7-day time clock with battery back-up may be supplied for specific timing
operations. A set of instructions will be supplied with the timer.

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SECTION II – INSTALLATION

WARNING / CAUTION

DO NOT TURN ON THE ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY to this equipment until heater is
completely filled with water and all air has been released. If the heater is NOT filled with water when
the power is turned on, the heating elements will burn out.

For protection against excessive pressures and temperatures, code requires the installation of a
temperature-and-pressure (T&P) relief valve certified by a nationally recognized laboratory that
maintains periodic inspection of production of listed equipment of materials, as meeting the
requirements for Relief Valves and Automatic Gas Shutoff for Hot Water Supply Systems. ANSI
Z21.22-1971. THE CUSTOMER IS RESPONSIBLE TO PROTECT PROPERTY AND
PERSONNEL FROM HARM WHEN THE VALVE FUNCTIONS.

All water heaters have a risk of leakage at some unpredictable time. IT IS THE CUSTOMER'S
RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE A CATCH PAN OR OTHER ADEQUATE MEANS, SO THAT
THE RESULTANT FLOW OF WATER WILL NOT DAMAGE PROPERTY.

WATER HEATER PLACEMENT

1. Place the heater on a solid foundation in a clean, dry location nearest to the point of most
frequent hot water use.

2. The water heater should be protected from freezing and waterlines insulated to reduce energy
and water waste.

3. Leave a minimum of 18” clearance for element withdrawal, if necessary.

4. Do not install in an area where flammable liquids or combustible vapors are present.

SECURING OF HEATER

1. The heater is supported by four 2-inch x 2-inch x ¼-inch thick angle iron legs each with a 3­inch x 3-inch x ¼-inch thick steel base pad. Each leg is provided with one 9/16-inch diameter
bolt hole for one ½-inch bolt which should be used to secure heater to the deck.

2. In addition to the leg supports, two 3-inch x 3-inch x ¼-inch thick brackets with 7/8-inch
diameter mounting holes are attached to the upper portion of the heater. These brackets should
be attached to bulkhead secured tie-rods thus insuring further support of the heater for
shipboard installation.

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