Rheem SL50, SLC50, PE, TC160 User Manual

Water Heaters

Electric Residential

Model: HE Series, GE Series, PE Series, SE Series

The purpose of this manual is twofold: one, for the contractor, to provide the installer with basic directions 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 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 perform these operations. If you do not understand these instructions or any terms within it, seek professional advice.

Any questions regarding the operation, maintenance, service or warranty of this water heater should be directed to the seller from whom it was purchased. If additional information is required, refer to the section “If You Need Service….”

Do not destroy this manual. Please read carefully and keep in a safe place for future reference.

Recognize this symbol as an indication of Important Safety Information!

California Proposition 65 Warning: This product contains chemicals known to

the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.

Single and Double Element Models,

Residential 20–120 Gallon

LISTED

786H

Part No. AP12168-7 (01/05) Pub. No. 49-50009-5 11-03 JR

Manufactured under trademark license by:

Rheem Manufacturing Company

P.O. Box 244020, Montgomery, AL 36124-4020

Printed in USA

Use & Care Manual

With Installation Instructions for the Installer

Safety Information

Safety Precautions . . . . . . 3, 4

Installation Instructions

Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Water Connections . . . . . . . . 6

Electrical Connections . . . . . 8

Operating Instructions

Safety Controls . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Water Temperature . . . . . . . . 13

Care and Cleaning

Draining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Extended Shut-Down . . . . . . 14

Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Troubleshooting Tips

Before You Call

For Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Customer Service

Parts List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Wiring Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Product Registration . . . . . . 19

Customer Service Troubleshooting Tips Care and Cleaning Operating Instructions Installation Instructions Safety Instructions

Inside you will find many helpful hints on how to use and maintain your water heater properly. Just a little preventive care on your part can save you a great deal of time and money over the life of your water heater.

You’ll find many answers to common problems in the Before You Call For Service section. If you review our chart of Troubleshooting Tips first, you may not need to call for service at all.

READ THIS MANUAL

FOR YOUR RECORDS

Write the model and serial numbers here:

You can find them on a label on the appliance.

Staple sales slip or cancelled check here.

Proof of the original purchase date is needed to obtain service under the warranty.

IMPORTANT!

Fill out and return the Consumer Product Registration Card that is in the back of this manual.

If you do need service, you can relax knowing help is only a phone call away. For service call 800-431-1549.

IF YOU NEED SERVICE

READ THE SAFETY INFORMATION

Your safety and the safety of others are very important. There are many important safety messages in this manual and on your appliance. Always read and obey all safety messages.

This is the safety alert symbol. Recognize this symbol as an indication of Important Safety Information! This symbol alerts you to potential hazards that can kill or hurt you and others.

All safety messages will follow the safety alert symbol and either the word “DANGER”, “WARNING”, “CAUTION” or “NOTICE”.

These words mean:

DANGER An imminently hazardous situation that will

result in death or serious injury.

WARNING A potentially hazardous situation that could

result in death or serious injury and/or damage to property.

CAUTION A potentially hazardous situation that may

result in minor or moderate injury.

Notice: Attention is called to observe a specified

procedure or maintain a specific condition.

Safety Instructions Installation Instructions Operating Instructions Care and Cleaning Troubleshooting Tips Customer Service

Time/Temperature Relationship in Scalds

Temperature Time To Produce a Serious Burn

120°F More than 5 minutes

125°F 11/2

to 2 minutes

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 11/

2 seconds

155°F About 1 second

Table courtesy of Shriners Burn Institute

The chart shown above may be used as a guide in determining the proper water temperature for your home.

NOTICE: 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.

The illustration at the left shows the temperature adjustment dial used for setting the water temperature.

Refer to the Operating Instructions in this manual for detailed instructions in how to adjust the thermostat(s).

DANGER: Hotter water increase the potential for Hot Water SCALDS.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION. READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.

Reset button

Thermostat

protective

cover

Thermostat dial pointer

WARNING!

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.

NOTICE: Mixing valves are available for reducing point of use water temperature by mixing hot and cold water in branch water lines. Contact a licensed plumber or the local plumbing authority for further information.

DANGER

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.

(66°C)

(52°C)

125°F

TURN OFF

POWER BEFORE

SERVICING

90°F150°F

(32°C)

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION. READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.

WARNING!

For your safety, the information in this manual must be followed to minimize the risk of fire or explosion, electric shock, or to prevent property damage, personal injury, or loss of life.

Be sure to read and understand the entire Use and Care Manual before attempting to install or operate this water heater. It may save you time and cost. Pay particular attention to the Safety Instructions. 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 service technician, or the local electric utility.

FOR INSTALLATIONS IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

California Law requires that residential water heaters must be braced, anchored or strapped to resist falling or horizontal displacement due to earthquake motions. For residential water heaters up to 52 gallon capacity, a brochure with generic earthquake bracing instructions can be obtained from: Office of the State Architect, 400 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 or you may call 916-324-5315 or ask a water heater dealer.

However, applicable local codes shall govern installation. For residential water heaters of a capacity greater than 52 gallons, consult the local building jurisdiction for acceptable bracing procedures.

READ AND FOLLOW THIS SAFETY INFORMATION CAREFULLY.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Customer Service Troubleshooting Tips Care and Cleaning Operating Instructions Installation Instructions Safety Instructions

Have the installer show you the location of the circuit breaker and how to shut it off if necessary. Turn off the circuit breaker if the water heater has been subjected to overheating, fire, flood, physical damage or if the ECO fails to shut off.

● Read this manual entirely before

installing or operating the water heater.

● Use this appliance only for its intended

purpose as described in this Use and Care Manual.

● Be sure your appliance is properly

installed in accordance with local codes and the provided installation instructions.

● Do not attempt to repair or replace any

part of your water heater unless it is specifically recommended in this manual. All other servicing should be referred to a qualified technician.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Installing the water heater.

The location chosen for the water heater must take into consideration the following:

Local Installation Regulations

This water heater must be installed in accordance with these instructions, local codes, utility 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 Protection Association, 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 thermostat and element access panels can be 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. Where such areas cannot be avoided, it is recommended that a suitable catch pan, adequately drained, be installed under the water heater.

A—Diameter of water

heater plus 2″ min.

B—Maximum 2″

NOTICE: Auxiliary catch pan MUST conform to local codes.

Catch Pan Kits are available from the store where the water heater was purchased, or any water heater distributor.

To open drain, line should be at least 3/4″ ID and pitched for proper drainage.

Safety Instructions Installation Instructions Operating Instructions Care and Cleaning Troubleshooting Tips Customer Service

Inspect Shipment

Inspect the water heater for possible damage. Check the markings on the rating plate of the water heater to be certain the power supply corresponds to the water heater requirements.

Installing the water heater.

Thermal Expansion

Typical Installation

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 pressure 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 (refer to the illustration below). 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 valve. Other methods of controlling thermal expansion are also available. Contact your installing contractor, water supplier or plumbing inspector for additional information regarding this subject.

To electrical distribution panel

Heat trap 6″ minimum

Heat trap

6″ minimum

To cold water supply

Jacket access panel

Relief valve discharge line

to suitable open drain

Jacket access panel

Auxiliary catch pan 2″ maximum

Drain valve

Electrical junction box (use only copper conductors)

Hot water outlet

to fixtures

6″ air gap

Anode

Shut-off valve

Union

Temperature and pressure relief valve

Union

NOTICE: Do not apply heat to the HOT or COLD water connections. If sweat connections are used, sweat tubing to adapter before fitting adapter to the water connections on heater. Any heat applied to the water supply fittings will permanently damage the dip tube and/or heat traps.

Customer Service Troubleshooting Tips Care and Cleaning Operating Instructions Installation Instructions Safety Instructions

Water Supply Connections

Refer to the illustration below 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.

Thermal expansion tank (if required)

Vacuum Relief Valve

(Not Supplied)

If required, install per local codes

and valve manufacturer’s

instructions.

COLD

+ 14 hidden pages