1568 Electric Water Heater Element Sequencing - Water Heaters - Introduction -

Image Text: Cutaway view > A: cold water being drawn into the bottom of the tank causes the lower element to come on > electric water heater > lower element ON > cold water > warm water > upper element OFF > hot water on > B: as the hot water is depleted, the priority (upper) element comes on - shutting down the lower element > cold water inlet > electric water heater > lower element OFF > cold water > cold water > upper element ON > "hot" water on > C: the upper element is satisfied so the lower element can turn back on and finish heating the rest of the tank > cold water inlet > hot water off > upper element OFF > warm water > cold water > lower element ON > D: both elements are satisfied - the lower element turns off > cold water inlet > hot water off > upper element OFF > warm water > warm water > low element OFF