Bradford White E32-50S User manual

(To be performed ONLY by qualified service providers)
Save this manual for future reference
Manual 239-47157-00B
Commercial Electric Energy Saver:
E32-50S
E32-80R
E32-120R

Page Service Procedure
Introduction ………………………………………………………………………. 2 - - -
Tools……………………………………………………………………………… 2 - - -
General Information ……………………………………………………………… 3 - - -
Sequence of Operation …………………………………………………………… 5 - - -
Field Conversion of kW, Voltage and Phase…………………………………….. 6 - - -
Troubleshooting …………………………………………………………………. 9 - - -
Heating Element Testing ……………................................................................... 11 E32-I
Line Voltage Testing………………...…………………………………………... 12 E32-II
Fuse and ECO Testing…........................................................................................ 13 E32-III
Thermostat Operation Testing ……..................................................................... 14 E32-IV
Thermostat Removal and Replacement …………………………………………. 15 E32-V
Heating Element Removal and Replacement ……………………………………. 16 E32-VI
Dip Tube and Anode Inspection and Replacement ……………………………… 17 E32-VII
Generic Parts List ………………………………………………………………... 18 - - -
Page 2
This service manual is designed to aid service and maintenance professionals on the function, proper diagnosis and repair of
Bradford White medium duty commercial electric water heaters.
The text and illustrations in this manual provide step by step instructions to facilitate proper operation and troubleshooting
procedures. Contact the Bradford White Technical Support Group immediately if diagnosis can not be made using the
methods described in this service manual.
E32 Medium Duty Commercial
Electric Water Heaters
- Multi Meter. - Phillips Head Screw Driver.
- 1-½ Deep Well Socket (element removal). - Thermometer.
- ¼" Nut Driver. - Drain Hose.
- Various Hand Tools: Pipe Wrench, Channel Locks, Pliers (common & needle nose), Wire cutters, Wire Strippers,
Flash Light.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Ungrounded Ungrounded Grounding
BLACK RED GREEN
240 120
120
120
ABCNeutral
RED BLACK RED
120
120 208
208 208
277
ABCNeutral
RED BLACK RED
277
277 480
480 480
120
ABCNeutral
RED BLACK RED
120
120 240
240 240
Amps = Watts (for single phase units) Example 4500W/240V = 18.75A
Volts
Amps = Watts (for balanced 3 phase units) Example 4500W/240V x 1.732 = 10.82A
Volts x 1.732
Watts = Amps x Volts Example 18.75A x 240V = 4500W
Ohms = Volts Example (240V) / 4500W = 12.8 Ohms
Watts
22
Commonly Used Formulas
Page 3

GENERAL INFORMATION
Full Load Amperes-(Phase 1/Phase 3)
Page 4
Input Kw 208V
28.8/16.6
240V 277V 380V 415V 480V
6
9
12
13.5
15
18
43.2/25
57.6/33.3
64.9/37.5
72.1/37.5
86.5/50
25/14.4
37.5/21.6
50/28.9
56.2/32.5
62.5/36.1
75/43.4
21.6
32.4
43.3
48.7
54.1
64
10
14
19
21
23
28
8.3
12.5
16.7
18.8
20.9
25
12.5/7.2
18.7/10.8
25/14.4
28.1/16.2
31.2/18
37.5/21.6
Surface Mounted Thermostats
E32 series medium duty commercial water heaters use only surface mounted thermostats. Surface mounted
thermostats are mounted into a bracket which holds the thermostat against the side of the tank. Surface mounted
thermostats respond to tank surface temperatures to sense a call for heat, set point temperature settings and high limit
(ECO) activation. It is import that the entire back surface of the thermostat is in full contact or flush with the tank. An
improperly mounted thermostat will lead to improper heater operation.
Manual
ECO (high limit)
Reset button
Temperature
control Dial
Surface Mount
Combination Thermostat/
ECO (high limit)
89T Series
1-½ Hex
Screw-in Flange
Terminal Block
Screw
Terminal Block
Zinc Plated Copper or
Incoloy Sheath
Element Rating Ink Stamped
on side of Terminal Block.
Direct Immersion “Screw-in” Type Heating Element
0642
4500W 240V
RC02404524

SEQUENCE OF OPERATION
E32 series medium duty, field convertible commercial electric water heaters are designed to operate using single phase
or three phase service connections. One size fits all Internal fusing is factory installed for all units. When field
conversions are required, no fuse change is necessary. Three surface mounted thermostats operating independently
are used to control a corresponding heating element.
Sequence of Operation.
Single phase line voltage is applied
across terminals L1 and L2 of terminal
block. Or Three phase line voltage is
applied to terminals L1 through L3 of
terminal block. Line voltage continues
through terminal block and fuse blocks
and connects to thermostats at
terminals L1 & L3.
Page 5
1 1
ECO (high limit) in thermostat is closed,
so there is line voltage present at
terminal L4 of thermostats and to one
side of each element.
2
ECO Closed
Power to one
side of element
2 3
Water in tank is cold, so all thermostats
are closed at terminal T2 (calling For
heat). This completes the circuit and
allows current to flow through heating
element.
3
Thermostat closed
at terminal T2
4
As each thermostat is satisfied,
it opens at terminal T2 interrupting
current flow through the respective
element. The system is now in stand-by
mode, waiting for the next call for heat.
4Thermostat open
at terminal T2
Terminal Block
Fuse Block

Page 6
FIELD CONVERSION FOR:
KW, Voltage and Phase
All E32 series medium duty commercial water heaters are factory wired to the maximum electrical duty for which they
have been designed. Therefore, internal electrical components satisfy the maximum voltage and maximum electrical
current conditions.
These instructions do not allow for a modification that adds or deletes the number of heating elements originally supplied
with the heater; therefore such a modification must not be attempted.
Special factory prepared “Conversion Kits” must be used for these conversions. These kits contain the heating
elements, element gaskets and product labeling overlays related to the newly created electrical parameters.
18 KW heaters suitable for operation with 208vac cannot be created by conversion since there are no “kits” established
for this electrical system. These heaters can be obtained by ordering directly from the factory.
Conversion Kit Available
Required
Total Element ---------- Kit Part Numbers ----------
Heater KW Wattage 208 volts 240 volts 480 volts
6 2000 265-43942-13 265-43942-07 265-43942-01
9 3000 265-43942-14 265-43942-08 265-43942-02
12 4000 265-43942-15 265-43942-09 265-43942-03
13.5 4500 265-43942-16 265-43942-10 265-43942-04
15 5000 265-43942-17 265-43942-11 265-43942-05
18 6000 265-43942-18* 265-43942-12 265-43942-06
*265-43942-18 will require control box replacement (included in kit).
Following the heating element removal and replacement instruction on page 16, remove elements and replace with
elements from appropriate kit listed above.
The heaters rating plate will need to be modified because the conversion altered the electrical characteristics of the
heater. This rating plate is placed on every Commercial Electric water heater produced by Bradford White Corporation.
Element kits above contain rating plate label overlays related to the newly created electrical parameters. Follow the
instruction on page 8 For placement of overlays.
The E32 series medium duty commercial electric water heaters are field convertible. This allows Qualified Service
Providers the ability to convert wattage, voltage and phase using a factory supplied conversion kit as required per the
installation. Underwriters Laboratories Inc. recognizes this procedure as herein presented and no deviation from these
instructions are allowed.
KW Conversion
1. Voltage conversion is accomplished by replacing the existing elements with elements that are rated at the
required voltage.
2. To accomplish this conversion refer to the above procedure for KW Conversion ---- Element Changes.
Voltage Conversion
Control Box Conversion
1. Open front panel of control box installed on water heater and
disconnect the (6) load wires from fuse blocks.
2. Remove (4) screws joining control box to water heater and
remove control box.
3. Install new control box onto the water heater by feeding the
wires through the back of the control box and reinstall (4)
mounting screws.
4. Reconnect wires to new fuse blocks. Be certain to
match wire colors to Line side of fuse blocks.
CAUTION
Use caution to not damage any of the wire
insulation when removing control box.
NOTICE
Control box conversion is ONLY required
when converting water heater to 18kw 208v
(Kit# 265-43942-18)

Electrical Phase Conversion
Electrical phase conversion will require a change from single-phase to three-phase or an opposite conversion change
from three-phase to single-phase. Each of these conversions will be explained separately as follows:
Three-Phase to Single-Phase
1. Disconnect blue and yellow wires from terminal L-3 of the terminal block
2. Connect yellow wire to terminal L-1 of the terminal block. The black wires should remain connected to L-1 of the
terminal block as it was originally manufactured.
3. Connect blue wire to terminal L-2 of the terminal block. The red wires should remain connected to L-2 of the
terminal block as it was originally manufactured.
4. Field wiring for the heater power supply will eventually be connected to terminals L-1 and L-2 of the terminal block
when the product is installed.
Single-Phase to Three-Phase
1. Disconnect yellow wire from terminal L-1 of the terminal block
2. Disconnect blue wire from terminal L-2 of the terminal block
3. Connect blue and yellow wires to L-3 of the terminal block
4. Field wiring for the heater power supply will eventually be connected to terminals L-1, L-2, and L-3 of the terminal
block when the product is installed.
Terminal Block
Fuse Block
Three Phase and Single Phase
Connections at Terminal Block
Phase Terminal Block
L1
Single
Three
BK & Y
Wires R & BL Wires
BK
Wire R Wire BL & Y Wires
L2 L3
E32 Series Phase Conversion Rating Plate Overlay Kits
208 265-45246-13
240 265-45246-07
480 265-45246-01
Volt Conversion Kit
6KW
208 265-45246-14
240 265-45246-08
480 265-45246-02
Volt Conversion Kit
9KW
208 265-45246-15
240 265-45246-09
480 265-45246-03
Volt Conversion Kit
12KW
208 265-45246-16
240 265-45246-10
480 265-45246-04
Volt Conversion Kit
13.5KW
208 265-45246-17
240 265-45246-11
480 265-45246-05
Volt Conversion Kit
15KW
208 265-45246-18
240 265-45246-12
480 265-45246-06
Volt Conversion Kit
18KW
The heaters rating plate will need to be modified because the conversion altered the electrical characteristics of the
heater. This rating plate is placed on every Commercial Electric water heater produced by Bradford White Corporation.
Phase conversion kits above contain rating plate overlays related to the newly created electrical parameters. Follow the
instruction on page 8 For placement of overlays.
Page 7
FIELD CONVERSION FOR:
KW, Voltage and Phase

The heaters rating plate will need to be modified because the conversion altered the electrical characteristics of the
heater. Refer to the illustration below that displays a typical commercial electric rating plate that is to be altered. This
rating plate is placed on every Commercial Electric water heater produced by Bradford White Corporation. Locate this
rating plate on the heater you have just converted.
Rating Plate Modification
BRADFORD WHITE CORPORATION
200 LAFAYETTE ST. MIDDLEVILLE MI 49333
Model No: E32-50S3
Serial No: ZB2564812
Cap. 50(gal.)/189.3(liters)
Press: Test 300(psi), Working 150(psi)
Volts 240 Max Temp 180°
Phase Three Amps 43.3
Kw Each 6 Total Kw 18 3 Elements
Wattage Rating Based Upon 60 Hz
Locate the adhesive backed label (marked as part # 238-43990-00) (see illustration below) that was provided inside the
kit. It is marked with the new electrical data that is accurate for the conversion just executed. The kit will contain two
labels for this voltage and KW. One for three phase and one for single phase. Select the correct label for the electrical
phase in this conversion.
Volts 480 Max Temp 180°
Phase Three Amps 7.2
Kw Each 2 Total Kw 6 3 Elements
Wattage Rating Based Upon 60 Hz 238-43990-00
Remove the adhesive peel strip and place this label onto the rating plate in such a manner that the new electrical data
will appear in place of the data originally marked. Refer to the illustration below that displays the rating plate revision.
BRADFORD WHITE CORPORATION
200 LAFAYETTE ST. MIDDLEVILLE MI 49333
Model No: E32-50S3
Serial No: ZB2564812
Cap. 50(gal.)/189.3(liters)
Press: Test 300(psi), Working 150(psi)
Volts 480 Max Temp 180°
Phase Three Amps 7.2
Kw Each 2 Total Kw 6 3 Elements
Wattage Rating Based Upon 60 Hz 238-43990-00
Overlay placed over old
rating plate data
Part number
Page 8
FIELD CONVERSION FOR:
KW, Voltage and Phase

TROUBLESHOOTING
Most common cause for improper electric water heater operation can be linked to heating element
failure.
When troubleshooting an electric water heater with the incidence of “No Hot Water” or “Insufficient Amount of Hot
Water” It is always a good idea to check the heating elements first following the procedure on page 11.
Common Heating Element Failures Are:
1. Dry Firing. Element may be partially submerged in water or most likely, completely exposed with no water in
tank. In some cases sediment or lime build up around an element can eventually cause an air pocket, and
within seconds, result in a dry fired element. At this point the element becomes inoperative. When element
replacement is required, be sure tank is full of water prior to energizing the water heater.
2. Grounded Element. An element with a short circuit to ground will in most cases cause the circuit breaker in
the service panel to open or shut off. In some cases there may not be enough current draw for the circuit
breaker to open. This will allow the heating element to be in continuous operation resulting in over heated
water, limited only by the ECO or Energy Cut Off located in the thermostat. Repeated actuation of the ECO
reset button on the thermostat usually is the result of a grounded element.
3. Sediment build up. Slow hot water recovery can usually be traced back to sediment or lime build up around
heating element. Sediment build up can also over time cause a dry fired element.
The illustration below shows a common “Screw-In” type heating element identifying certain features commonly referred
to throughout this manual.
1-½ Hex
Screw-in Flange
Terminal Block
Screw
Terminal Block
Zinc Plated Copper or
Incoloy Sheath
Element Rating Ink Stamped
on side of Terminal Block.
Typical Direct Immersion “Screw-In”
Type Heating Element
Page 9
0642
4500W 240V
RC02404524

SYMPTOM PROBABLE CAUSE CORRECTIVE ACTION
No Hot Water
1. No Power to heater.
2. Blown water heater fuses.
3. Loose wire connections.
4. Inoperative heating elements.
5. Inoperative thermostat.
6. Open ECO.
1. Inoperative heating element.
2. Thermostat(s) set to low.
3. Inoperative thermostat(s).
4. Loose wire connection.
5. Sediment or lime build up on element(s).
6. High demand period.
7. Undersized heater.
8. Very cold inlet water to heater.
9. Plumbing connections reversed.
10. Damaged dip tube.
Not Enough Hot
Water
Slow Hot Water
Recovery
1. Sediment or lime build up on element(s).
2. Loose wire connections.
3. Inoperative thermostat(s).
4. Derated heating element installed.
Over Heated
Water or
Continues
Operation
1. Thermostat(s) not in contact with tank.
2. Grounded heating element(s).
3. Thermostat set to high.
4. Inoperative thermostat(s).
5. Inoperative ECO.
6. Undersized water heater.
1. Check fuses or circuit breakers at service
panel.
2. Check water heater fuses.
3. Check all wire connections.
4. Check heating element(s). Replace as
needed.
5. Check thermostat(s) operation. Replace as
needed.
6. Check ECO. Reset or replace
thermostat(s) as needed.
1. Check heating element(s), replace as
needed.
2. Increase thermostat setting.
3. Check thermostat(s), replace as needed.
4. Check all wire connection.
5. Remove heating element(s) and check for
lime build up.
6. Reduce demand.
7. Replace with larger heater.
8. Temper water to heater.
9. Correct plumbing connections.
10. Check dip tube, replace as needed.
1. Remove heating element(s) and check for
lime build up.
2. Check all wire connections.
3. Check thermostat(s), replace as needed.
4. Check terminal block of element for proper
voltage and wattage rating.
1. Position thermostat flush with tank surface.
2. Check heating element(s). Replace as
needed.
3. Adjust thermostat(s) to desired setting.
4. Check thermostat(s), replace as needed.
5. Check ECO, replace thermostat as
needed.
6. Replace with larger heater.
SERVICE
PROCEDURE
2. See Service Procedure
E32-III, Page 13
4. See Service Procedure
E32-I, Page 11.
5. See Service Procedure
E32-IV, Page 14.
6. See Service Procedure
E32-III, Page 13
1. See Service Procedure
E32-I, Page 11.
3. See Service Procedure
E32-IV, Page 14.
5. See Service Procedure
E32-VI, Page 16.
10. See Service Procedure
E32-VII, Page 17.
1. See Service Procedure
E32-VI, Page 16.
3. See Service Procedure
E32-IV, Page 14.
1. See Service Procedure
E32-V, Page 15.
2. See Service Procedure
E32-I, Page 11.
4. See Service Procedure
E32-IV, Page 14.
5. See Service Procedure
E32-III, Page 13.
Page 10
Noisy (singing or
hissing) Elements 1. Lime formation on elements. 1. Remove and clean heating elements.
Replace as needed. 1. See Service Procedure E32-VI, Page 16.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Quick Step Plan to Hot Water
1. TURN OFF power to water heater and check all wire
connections to insure they are tight and corrosion free.
2. Turn power “ON” and determine that line voltage is
present (see pg 12), and the high limit (ECO) has not
actuated (see pg 13).
3. Check for blown fuse (see pg 13).
4. Check for inoperative heating element (see procedure on page 11).
5. Check for proper thermostat operation (see pg 14). NOTE: Thermostat testing procedures
assume items 2, 3 and 4 above are in working order.
WARNING
High voltage exposure. Use caution when
making voltage checks to avoid personal
injury.