GSW Electric Water Heater P/N 61515 REV. G (05-03) User Manual

Thank you for purchasing this water heater. Properly installed and

maintained, it will provide years of trouble free service.

The warranty on this water heater is in effect only when the water heater

is installed and operated in accordance with these instructions. The man-

ufacturer of this water heater will not be liable for any injury or property

damage resulting from failure to comply with these instructions.

This water heater must be installed strictly in accordance

with the instructions enclosed, and local electrical, fuel and building

codes. It is possible that connections to the water heater, or the water

heater itself may develop leaks. IT IS THEREFORE IMPERATIVE that

the water heater be installed so that any leakage of the tank or related

water piping is directed to an adequate drain in such a way that it cannot

damage the building, furniture, carpeting, adjacent areas, lower floors of

the structure or other property subject to water damage. This is particu-

larly important if the water heater is installed in a multi-story building, on

finished flooring or carpeted surfaces. GSW CANNOT BE HELD

LIABLE for damage caused by water from the water heater, pressure

relief valve, or related fittings where adequate provision to drain such

water has not been made. Closets without drains and carpeted areas are

examples of unsuitable locations for any water heater. Select a location as

centralized within the piping system as possible. The heater should be

located in an area not subject to freezing temperatures. In any location

selected it is recommended that a suitable drain pan be installed under the

water heater. This pan shall be an minimum of 50mm (2 in.) deep and

have a diameter that is a minimum of 50mm (2 in.) greater than the diam-

eter of the water heater. Suitable piping shall connect the drain pan to a

properly operating floor drain. If this heater is to be installed directly on

carpeting, the carpeting must be protected by a metal or wood panel

beneath the heater, extending beyond the full width and depth of the

heater by a minimum 80mm (3 in.). If the heater is installed in a closet or

alcove, the entire floor must be covered by the panel. This panel must be

strong enough to support the weight of the heater full of water without

breaking. Failure to heed this warning may result in a fire hazard. When

used with a fuel-fired heater, this drain pan must not restrict combustion

air flow.

Hydrogen gas can be produced in a hot water system served

by this heater that has not been used for a long period of time (generally

two (2) weeks or more). 

ignite when exposed to a spark or flame. To reduce the risk of injury

under these conditions, it is recommended that the hot water faucet be

opened for several minutes at the kitchen sink before using any electrical

appliance connected to the hot water system. Use caution in opening

faucets. When hydrogen is present, there will probably be an unusual

sound such as air escaping through the pipe as the water begins to flow.

There should be no smoking or open flame near the faucet at the time it

is open.

To reduce the risk of excessive pressures and temperatures in

this water heater, install temperature and pressure protective equipment

required by local codes. It should be no less than a combination temper-

ature and pressure relief valve certified by a nationally recognized testing

laboratory that maintains periodic inspection of production of listed

equipment or materials, as meeting the latest edition of 

Supply Systems. This valve must be marked with a maximum set pres-

sure not to exceed the marked MAXIMUM working pressure of the water

heater (150 PSI). Install the valve into an opening provided and marked

for this purpose in the water heater, and orient it or provide tubing so that

any discharge from the valve will exit only within 6 inches above, or at

any distance below the structural floor and cannot contact any live elec-

trical part. The discharge opening must not be blocked or reduced in size

under any circumstances. The end of the relief pipe opening should ter-

minate near a floor drain or other suitable location not subject to block-

ing or freezing. DO NOT thread, plug or cap the relief pipe opening.

1. The cold water inlet is identified at the top of the heater (unless bot-

tom entry). The hot water connection is also identified at the top of

the heater. Install a shut-off valve in the cold line approximately 3'

from the inlet to the heater where it is in convenient reach. This valve

is for emergency shut-off and MUST be kept open during the opera-

tion of the heater.

2. The water connection fittings contain a plastic lining to minimize cor-

rosion and some models include plastic heat traps. Do not apply heat

to these nipples when making solder connections. Sweat a piece of

tubing to adapter before fitting adapter to nipple.

3. After installing the water piping, cover with the pipe insulation (if sup-

plied with this heater). Use the insulation to cover 2' of hot and cold

piping nearest to the heater.

4. A combination Temperature and Pressure relief valve MUST be

installed. In some cases it is necessary that a Tee be fitted in the top

of the heater which allows the temperature probe to reach into the top

of the tank. See diagram on page 4. No shut-off valve of any kind is

permitted between the tank and the relief valve. The outlet of the

relief valve must be piped to a drain or fixture, and must terminate

within 6" of the floor.

1. Check to see that the element marking and nameplate data do corre-

spond with the electric service available.

a)

The junction box where electrical connections are made is

located near the top of the heater, near the upper access door.

2. Install a circuit directly from the main fuse box. This circuit must be

the right size for the length of run and the load (see chart below).

3. A ground wire must run from the green ground screw provided at the

electrical connection point in the heater junction box to the ground

connection at the service panel.

4. Adequate fusing must be provided at the service entrance as required

by local codes and/or electric utility having jurisdiction. This can be

accomplished with either a circuit breaker or fuse block in the service

panel or a separate disconnect switch, so that electric power can be

shut off easily when working on the heater.

5. Final connections are made at the junction box in the heater. Access

to the junction box is obtained by removing the cover near the knock-

outs.

6. The heater you have received is internally wired. A specific wiring

diagram is located inside the upper door or for certain models on the

rating plate. All wiring is colour-coded and connections must be made

as shown in the wiring diagram.

TWO WIRE CIRCUIT FOR NON-SIMULTANEOUS OPERATION.

SINGLE HIGH LIMIT.

The basic operation of a two thermostat system (upper and lower) on an

electric water heater of 240 volts is as follows:

Only one element will come on at any one time. This is known as a

flip/flop system. On a 240-volt water heater, there will always be 120

volts to both elements. The thermostat will direct the second leg of the

120-volt to the element to complete the 240 volts required for energizing

the element.

Initial Start Up: When the tank is full of cold water, the upper thermo-

stat will take priority and the top portion of the water will heat up to the

setting of the thermostat. Once that temperature has been reached, the

thermostat will then flip down the 120 volts to the lower thermostat. The

thermostat switch closes and the bottom portion of the tank heats up until

the water reaches the setting on that thermostat. At this point the tank will

be full of hot water.

1500

20 A

10 A

10 A

3000

35 A

20 A

20 A

3500

40 A

20 A

20 A

4500

30 A

25 A

5500

35 A

35 A