Installation Guide
 14 • Residen al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide
INSTALLATION
Make electrical
connec ons
WARNING! Working on an ener-
gized circuit can result in severe injury 
or death from electrical shock.
NOTICE: Do not turn electrical power 
on unless you are sure all of the air 
is out of the tank and the tank is 
completely full of water. If power is 
applied before the tank is completely 
full of water, the upper element will 
burn out (Dry Fire).
1
Be sure the electrical power 
to the water heater is turned 
OFF at the circuit breaker 
panel (or remove the circuit’s fuses).
2
Using a non-contact circuit 
tester, check the wiring to 
make certain the power is OFF.
3
Check the water heater’s 
data plate and ensure that 
the home’s voltage, wiring 
size (ampacity) and circuit breaker 
ra ng and type are correct for this 
water heater. Refer to the wiring 
diagram located on the water heater 
for the correct electrical connec ons. 
Ensure that wire sizes, type, and 
connec ons comply with all appli-
cable local codes. In the absence of 
local codes, follow NFPA-70 and the 
current edi on of the Na onal Electric 
Code (NEC). 
4
Remove the cover on the 
electrical junc on box on the 
top of the water heater.
5
Install wiring in an approved 
conduit (if required by local 
codes). Use a UL listed or CSA 
approved strain relief to secure the 
electrical wiring to the water heater.
6
Connect the ground wire to 
the green ground screw. 
Connect the home’s two 
power wires to the water heater’s 
four power wires (black to black, red 
to red). Use suitable wire nuts or 
other approved means to make the 
power connec ons. 
NOTICE: The tank must be com-
pletely empty of air and full of 
water before connec ng electrical 
power to avoid “Dry Firing.” Dry 
Firing may result in the upper ele-
ment burning out. This is a com-
mon installa on mistake. A er 
you make the water connec ons, 
but before you connect the electri-
cal power, open a hot water faucet 
and let the water run full un l all 
the air is removed. Let the “hot” 
water run full for three minutes 
or longer before connec ng any 
electrical wires. A Dry Fired upper 
hea ng element is an installa on 
error and is not covered under 
warranty.
If Dry Firing occurs, replace the up-
per hea ng element according to 
the instruc ons on page 30.
Step 9:
The water heater’s electrical requirements can 
be determined from the data plate.
Red Wires
 (3)
Ground
Wires
Smart Grid
 Cover
1/2” Conduit
 Connection
Black Wires
 (3)
Connec ng the electrical wires.
INSTALLATION










