Rheem 88H40D User Manual
Residential Electric Water Heate
r
USE & CARE MANUAL
WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CONTRACTOR
The purpose of this manual is twofold: one, for the installing
Single and Double Element Models
40 Gallon Capacity
contractor, to provide requirements and recommendations for the
proper installation and adjustment of the water heater; and two,
for the owner-operator, to explain the features, operation, safety precautions, maintenance and trouble shooting of the water
heater. This manual also includes a parts list.
It is imperative that all persons who are expected to install, operate or adjust this water heater read the instructions carefully
so that they may understand how to do so.
®
LISTED
786H
!
!
Printed in USA
Do Not Destroy this Manual. Please read carefully
and keep in a safe place for Future Reference.
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 WARNING: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Recognize this symbol as an Indication of Important
!
Safety Information!
AP8319-8 (04/02)
!
General Safety Precautions
Be sure to read and understand the entire Use & Care Manual before attempting to install or operate this water heater. It may save you time and
cost. Pay particular attention to the General Safety Precautions. Failure to follow these warnings could result in serious bodily injury or death.
Should you have problems understanding the instructions in this manual, or have any questions, STOP, and get help from a qualified installer,
service technician, or the local electric utility.
WATER TEMPERATURE ADJUSTMENT - Safety and energy conservation are factors to be considered when selecting the water temperature setting of water heater’s
thermostat. Water temperatures above 125°F. can cause
severe burns or death from scalding. Be sure to read and
follow the warnings outlined on the label pictured below.
This label is also located on the water heater near the thermostat access panel
TIME / TEMPERATURE RELATIONSHIPS IN SCALDS
Temperature Time to Produce Serious Burn
120° F More than 5 minutes
1
125° F 1
130° F About 30 seconds
135° F About 10 seconds
140° F Less than 5 seconds
145° F Less than 3 seconds
150° F About 1
155° F About 1 second
/2to 2 minutes
1
/2seconds
Table courtesy of Shriners Burn Institute
The chart shown above may be used as a guide in de-
!
DANGER
termining the proper water temperature for your home.
NOTE: Households with small children, disabled, or elderly persons may require a 120°F. or lower thermostat
setting to prevent contact with “HOT” water.
The temperature of the water in the heater is regulated
by the adjustable surface mounted thermostat(s) located behind the Jacket Access Panel(s). Dual element
heaters have two thermostats. To comply with safety regulations the thermostat(s) were set at 120° F. before the
water heater was shipped from the factory.
HOT
BURN
Water temperature over 125°F can
cause severe burns instantly or
death from scalds.
Children, disabled and elderly are
at highest risk of being scalded.
See instruction manual before
setting temperature at water
heater.
Feel water before bathing or
showering.
Temperature limiting valves are
available, see manual.
R
T
E
Reset Button
Thermostat Protective
Cover
E
S
S
E
E
T
R
125°F
TURN OFF
POWER
BEFORE
SERVICING
Thermostat Dial
Pointer
90°F150°F
The illustration above shows the temperature adjustment dial
used for setting the water temperature. Refer to Operation
section of this manual for detailed instructions in how to adjust
the thermostat(s).
DANGER
!
There is a Hot Water SCALD Potential if the thermostat is
set too high.
Mixing valves for reducing point of use water temperature
by mixing hot and cold water in branch water lines are
available. Contact a licensed plumber or the local plumbing authority for further information.
2
Introduction
The location chosen for the water heater must take into consideration the
following:
LOCAL INSTALLATION REGULATIONS
This water must be installed in accordance with these instructions, local
codes, utility company requirements or, in the absence of local codes, the
latest edition of the National Electrical Code. It is available from some local
libraries or can be purchased from the National Fire Prevention Association,
1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269 as booklet ANSI/NFPA 70.
LOCATION
Locate the water heater in a clean dry area as near as practical to the area of
greatest heated water demand. Long uninsulated hot water lines can waste
energy and water. Place the water heater in such a manner that the front
panel can be easily removed to permit inspection and servicing such as
removal of elements or checking controls. The water heater and water lines
should be protected from freezing temperatures. Do not install the water
heater in outdoor, unprotected areas.
CAUTION
!
The water heater should not be located in an area where
leakage of the tank or connections will result in damage to
the area adjacent to it or to lower floors of the structure.
Installation
1. INSPECT SHIPMENT — Inspect water heater for possible dam-
age. Check the markings on the rating plate of the water heater
to be certain the power supply corresponds to that for which the
water heater is equipped.
2. THERMAL EXPANSION — Determine if a check valve exists in
the inlet water line. It may have been installed in the cold water
line as a separate back flow preventer, or it may be part of a pressure reducing valve, water meter or water softener. A check valve
located in the cold water inlet line can cause what is referred to
as a ”closed water system”. A cold water inlet line with no check
valve or back flow prevention device is referred to as an ”open”
water system.
As water is heated, it expands in volume and creates an increase
in the pressure within the water system. This action is referred
to as ”thermal expansion”. In an ”open” water system, expanding
water which exceeds the capacity of the water heater flows back
into the city main where the pressure is easily dissipated.
A ”closed water system”, however, prevents the expanding
water from flowing back into the main supply line, and the result
of ”thermal expansion” can create a rapid, and dangerous pres-
sure increase in the water heater and system piping. This rapid
pressure increase can quickly reach the safety setting of the relief valve, causing it to operate during each heating cycle. Thermal expansion, and the resulting rapid, and repeated expansion
and contraction of components in the water heater and piping
system can cause premature failure of the relief valve, and possibly the heater itself.Replacing the relief valve will not correct
the problem!
The suggested method of controlling thermal expansion is to install
an expansion tank in the cold water line between the water heater and
the check valve. The expansion tank is designed with an air cushion
built in that compresses as the system pressure increases, thereby
relieving the over pressure condition and eliminating the repeated operation of the relief vale. Other methods of controlling thermal expansion are also available. Contact your installing contractor, water
supplier, or plumbing inspector for additional information regarding
this subject.
3. WATER SUPPLY CONNECTIONS — Refer to Fig. 2 for suggested
typical installation. The installation of unions or flexible copper
connectors is recommended on the hot and cold water connections so that the water heater may be easily disconnected for servicing if necessary. The HOT and COLD water connections are
clearly marked and are 3/4” NPT on all models. Install a shut-off
valve in the cold water line near the water heater.
IMPORTANT!! Do not apply heat to the hot or cold water connections.
If sweat connections are used, sweat tubing to adapter before fitting
adapter to hot or cold water connections on heater. Any heat applied
to the hot or cold water supply fittings will permanently damage them.
4. RELIEF VALVE — A new combination temperature and pressure
relief valve, complying with the Standard for Relief Valves and
Automatic Gas Shutoff Devices for Hot Water Supply Systems,
ANSI Z21.22, must be installed in the opening provided and
marked for the purpose on the water heater. (Refer to Fig. 2.) No
valve of any type should be installed between the relief valve and
the tank. Local codes shall govern the installation of relief valves.
The pressure rating of the relief valve must not exceed 150 PSI,
the maximum working pressure of the water heater as marked on
the rating plate. The BTUH Rating of the relief valve must not be
less than the input rating of the water heater as indicated on the
rating label located on front of the heater (1 watt = 3.412 BTUH).
Connect the outlet of the relief valve to a suitable open drain so
that the discharge water cannot contact live electrical parts and
to eliminate potential water damage. Piping used should be of a
type approved for hot water distribution. The discharge line must
be no smaller than the outlet of the valve and must pitch downward
from the valve to allow complete drainage (by gravity) of the relief valve and discharge line. The end of the discharge line should
not be threaded or concealed and should be protected from freezing. No valve of any type, restriction or reducer coupling should
be installed in the discharge line.
5. TO FILL WATER HEATER — Make certain drain valve is completely closed. Open shut-off valve in cold water supply line. Open
each hot water faucet slowly to allow air to vent from the water
3
Installation
To Electrical
Distribution Panel
Flexible Connectors for
Water Connections at
Tank Fittings
Shut-Off Valve in
Cold Water
Supply Line
Grounding Screw
Wiring Junction
Bracket
Temperature & Pressure
Relief Valve
Anode
Temperature & Pressure
Relief Valve Coupling
Anode Location
Figure 3. — Location of water connections on water heater
tank. (Pictured with top insulation pad removed
CAUTION
!
The presence of water in the piping and water heater does not provide
sufficient conduction for a ground. Non-metallic piping, dielectric
unions, flexible connectors etc. can cause the water heater to be electrically isolated.
To Cold Water
Supply
To Electrical Distribution Panel
(Use only Copper Conductors)
Relief Valve Discharge
Line to suitable open drain
Hot Water
Outlet to Fixtures
The branch circuit wiring should include either:
A. Metallic conduit or metallic sheathed cable approved for use as
a grounding conductor and installed with fittings approved for
the purpose.
B. Non-metallic sheathed cable or metallic conduit or metallic
Figure 2. — Typical Installation (Pictured from rear of
heater and piping. A steady flow of water from the hot water
faucet(s) indicates a full water heater.
WARNING
!
Tank MUST BE full of water before power is turned on. Heating element(s) WlLL BE DAMAGED if energized for even a short time while
tank is dry. The water heater’s warranty does not cover damage or failure resulting from operation with an empty or partially empty tank.
(Reference is made to the limited warranty for complete terms and
conditions.)
6. ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS — A separate branch circuit with
copper conductors, overcurrent protective device and suitable
disconnecting means must be provided by a qualified electrician.
All wiring must conform to local codes or latest edition of the National Electrical Code ANSI/NFPA 70.
The water heater is completely wired to the junction box inside
jacket at top front of water heater. An opening for
trical fitting is provided for field wiring connections. (Refer to Fig.
3)
The voltage requirements and wattage load for the water heater
is specified on the rating plate on front of heater.
Table 1 recommends minimum branch circuit sizing based on
heater with Top Panel and Insulation Pad removed).
l
/2 ” or 3/4 ” elec-
P
Total h
Water a
Heater s
Wattage e 208V 240V 277V 480V 208V 240V 277V 480V
1202015151212 1414
3,000
3 20 20 --- 15 12 12 --- 14
1252520151010 1214
4,000
3 25 25 --- 15 10 10 --- 14
1302525151010 1014
4,500
3 30 25 --- 15 10 10 --- 14
1303025151010 1014
5,000
3 30 30 --- 15 10 10 --- 14
135302515 8 101014
5,500
3 35 30 --- 15 8 10 --- 14
140353020 8 8 1012
6,000
3 35 30 --- 15 8 10 --- 14
150454025 8 8 8 10
8,000
3 45 40 --- 20 8 8 --- 12
1 --- 50 45 25 --- 8 8 10
9,000
3 50 45 --- 25 8 8 --- 10
10,000
11,000
12,000
1 --- --- 50 30 --- --- 8 10
3 --- 50 --- 25 --- 8 --- 10
1 --- --- 50 30 --- --- 8 10
3 --- 50 --- 25 --- 8 --- 10
1 --- --- --- 35 --- --- --- 8
3 --- --- --- 30 --- --- --- 10
National Electric Code. Refer to wiring diagram on back cover
of this manual for field wiring connections.
Table 1. — Branch Circuit Sizing and Wire Size Guide
Based on N.E.C. ANSI / NFPA 70
4
Hot Water
Outlet Coupling
Cold Water
Inlet Coupling
Electrical
Junction
Bracket
FRONT OF WATER HEATER
Recommended Over
Current Protection Copper Wire Size -
(Fuse or Circuit Breaker) AWG Based on N.E.C.
Amperage Rating Table 310-16 (75°C.)
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