My Hot Water Heater Keeps Popping the Thermostat

Shut off the breaker for the hot water heater.

Remove the two screws in the curved access panel along the side of the tank to expose the thermostat and wiring underneath.

Loosen the two contact screws holding the two wires connected to the thermostat, but do not remove these screws. Pull off the two wires, making a note of which wire connects to each screw.

Hold the test probes on the ohmmeter against the two thermostat contact screws. A zero reading means the thermostat is faulty and must be replaced. Any other reading on the ohmmeter indicates there is another problem affecting the thermostat. Continue troubleshooting.

Unscrew the cover plates over the heating elements in the side of the tank. Set the plates aside and pull out the insulation strips covering the elements. Each element inserts into the tank horizontally. Each element end is round, with two wires connected to a pair of screws.

Loosen the screws on the end of each element to pull off the wires.

Test each heating element individually with the ohmmeter rods placed against the screws, which also serve as the electrical contacts. A zero reading means the element has failed or soon will, causing the thermostat to pop.

Verify a bad heating element by holding one ohmmeter rod against one of the element's contact screws and placing the other test rod against the metal side of the tank. A slight continuity reading on the ohmmeter indicates a grounded circuit, which confirms the element is defective.