Bradford White EFT-5500-4-S-10 User manual

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
ELECTRIC INSTANTANEOUS TANKLESS WATER HEATER
EFT-5500-4-S-10 240V
EFT-7500-4-S-10 240V
EFT-9500-4-S-10 240V
EFT-8300-4-S-10 208V
EFT-6000-4-S-10 277V
EFT-8000-4-S-10 277V
EFT-9000-4-S-10 277V
EFT-10000-4-S-10 277V
“THERMOSTATIC”
EFT MODELS
All information necessary to troubleshoot this
water heating unit is contained in this fully
illustrated guide. If problems still exist after reading
and carrying out the instructions in this manual,
contact Technical Service at the toll free number
below for assistance
PHONE TOLL FREE
1-800-334-3393
238-43142-00 Rev 3/12/02

GENERAL
2
This is how your EFT thermostatic model should look when mounted correctly on
the wall.
Any other mounting configuration will prevent the unit from operating properly.
If the unit is mounted correctly and still does not produce hot water, then look to
see if the indicator light illuminates when the hot water faucet is fully opened.
If the indicator light illuminates, turn to page 5.
If the indicator light does not illuminate, turn to page 3.
If the indicator light flashes once very quickly as you turn the water “ON”, turn to
page 7.
If the indicator light is pulsing, refer to the bottom of page 5.
All other possible situations turn to page 6.
U.L. rating label
Model # = Order Ref. #
UP
Serial number
Indicator
light
Water outlet/inlet (Bottom)
Out In

The indicator light does not illuminate (When the hot water faucet is
fully opened):
STEP ONE:
Is the circuit breaker switched on at the main circuit breaker panel?
YES Go to Step two
NO Run water at the hot water faucet, for a couple of
minutes, before turning on the circuit breaker.
Then turn on the circuit breaker at the main
circuit breaker panel.
STEP TWO:
The heating elements will not energize unless sufficient water is flowing through the
unit. The minimum acceptable flow rate is 0.55 gallons per minute. Some
models require a higher flow rate, see chart below for specific model flow
rates. Measure the flow rate using the following procedure:
Fill a 1-gallon “milk” container and, using only water from the hot water
faucet, record the time (In seconds) required to fill. To calculate the flow
rate, divide the number of gallons the container holds (In this case one
gallon) by the time required to fill.
e.g. If it takes 87 seconds to fill the container, then the flow rate would be:
Flow rate (gpm) = v/t x 60 = (1 gal./ 87 sec) x (60 sec./1 min.) = 0.69 gpm.
Open all water valves completely. If the indicator light still does not
illuminate then proceed to STEP THREE.
MODEL TYPE / ORDER REF# MINIMUM FLOW RATE
EFT-5500-4-S-10, EFT-6000-4-S-10 0.55 GPM
EFT-7500-4-S-10, EFT-8000-4-S-10,
EFT-8300-4-S-10 0.65 GPM
EFT-9000-4-S-10, EFT-9500-4-S-10,
EFT-10000-4-S-10 0.75 GPM
3

STEP THREE:
A multimeter / voltmeter is required to
perform the following test V
A
Ω
WARNING!
TURN OFF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER BEFORE
PROCEEDING WITH THE NEXT TESTS.
NOTE: BE SURE THE ELECRICITY IS TURNED OFF TO THE UNIT
Ω
Set the meter to the single ohms setting.
The Ohm Symbol
(The upside down horseshoe)
Do not measure continuity, this will not work.
Remove the front cover of the unit. At the end of the black heater body, there are
two threaded silver rods with brass nuts on them (Where the wires connect). Take a
reading of the ohms value between these two rods and write it down (See diagram
below).
If the reading is less then 20 ohms on the
single (Rx1) scale or the (Rx10) scale, then
the element is good, if it is much greater
e.g. 10,000 ohms or if you get a reading
on the Rx1k, you will need to replace the
element. To do this, contact Technical
Service at 1-800-334-3393 for the
replacement elements. (Please write down
the resistance value, before contacting
Technical Services. This will be very useful to
us. Also have the order ref. and serial
number for your unit available for Technical
Service.
)
4

The indicator light illuminates but water is not heated or the
water temperature is too low:
STEP ONE:
The water flow is too high. Reduce the water flow using the faucet. With
experimentation, an increase in water temperature should be observed.
BE CAREFUL, THE WATER EXITING THE FAUCET IS HOT. SCALD
INJURY CAN OCCUR FROM THE HOT WATER.
STEP TWO:
Make sure the unit is connected to the voltage supply specified on the
U.L. rating label located on the front cover of the unit.
STEP THREE:
Proceed to page four and follow STEP THREE.
Indicator light is pulsing and the water temperature is too low
Turn the temperature adjustment screw on the printed circuit board
clockwise. Turn the screw very gently; the maximum position is
approximately 5 o’clock. At this point the light should stop flashing
and should be illuminated continuously when water is flowing.
Temperature adjustment
screw
5

Other possible solutions:
NOTE: BE SURE ELECTRICITY IS TURNED OFF BEFORE PROCEEDING
STEP ONE:
Make sure the printed circuit board is mounted in the correct position. This is the top
set of mounting holes (See diagram below). Failure to mount PCB in the correct
position will cause element burn out and may cause further damage to the unit
(This board may have been incorrectly positioned if serviced previously).
The correct mounting holes
for the PCB on an “ES,EFC,
EFT” model.
Board mounted in correct
position
Inlet filter
STEP TWO:
Inspect the inlet filter (See diagram above for location). Make sure the inlet filter
screen is free from debris, pipe dope or any other foreign materials that may prevent
adequate water flow.
6

WARNING!
TURN OFF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER BEFORE
PROCEEDING WITH THE NEXT TESTS.
CHECKING THERMOSTATIC CIRCUIT BOARD
If the LED on the circuit board flashes one time very quickly when the water is switched ON then:
1) Turn “OFF” the power to this unit and all other units that may feed hot water to this unit.
2) Be sure that this unit is fed with cold water only. This unit must not be fed with pre-heated water
when performing this test.
3) There are six thin leads connected to the printed circuit board. Disconnect the third wire from
the left, from the top of the PCB (As indicated below) and tape off the end with insulating tape.
4) Run water from hot water faucet for 30 seconds and then switch power “ON” to the unit, with
the water flowing @ 0.75 GPM. If the light illuminates steadily then call Technical Service and
request a replacement printed circuit board (Part # EX 100). If the light still does not illuminate,
contact Technical Service and consult with a technician. 3rd wire from left3rd wire from left
7
WARNING
Do not use this unit with any pre-heated water feed if the light
has illuminated steadily having performed the above test.
The unit in this state must only
IF HAVING CARRIED OUT ALL THE TESTS LISTED ABOVE AND THE WATER
HEATING UNIT IS STILL NOT FUNCTIONING, PLEASE CALL TECHNICAL
SERVICE AT 1-800-334-3393.
PLEASE HAVE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AVAILABLE:
1) ORDER REF. NUMBER (Located on U.L. rating label on the front cover of unit).
2) SERIAL NUMBER (Inside unit on back plate).
be fed with cold water.