Bradford White RE380T6 User manual

238-44422-00U REV 5/18
ELECTRIC WATER HEATER
THE WARRANTY ON THIS WATER HEATER IS IN EFFECT ONLY WHEN
THE WATER HEATER IS INSTALLED AND OPERATED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH LOCAL CODES AND THESE INSTRUCTIONS. THE
MANUFACTURER OF THIS HEATER WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY
DAMAGE RESULTING FROM FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE
INSTRUCTIONS. READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS THOROUGHLY BEFORE
STARTING.
For your family’s comfort, safety and convenience, it is
recommended this water heater be installed and serviced by a
plumbing professional.
A Spanish language version of these instructions is available by
contacting the manufacturer listed on the rating plate.
La version espanola de estas instruccions se puede obtener al escribirle a
la fábrica cuyo nombre aparece in la placa de especificaciones.
INSTALLATION & OPERATION
INSTRUCTION MANUAL

2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
General Information................................................. 3
Installation ............................................................. 4
Locating the Water Heater .................................... 4
Water Connections .............................................. 6
Electrical Connections ..........................................14
General Operation ...................................................15
Thermostat Adjustment ........................................16
Maintenance...........................................................17
Notes ....................................................................20
CONGRATULATIONS!
You have just purchased one of the finest water heaters on
the market today!
This installation, operation and instruction manual will
explain in detail the installation and maintenance of your new
Electric Water Heater. We strongly recommend that you
contact a plumbing professional for the installation of this
water heater.
We require that you carefully read this manual, as well as
the enclosed warranty, and refer to it when questions arise.
If you have any specific questions concerning your warranty,
please consult the plumbing professional from whom your
water heater was purchased. For your records we
recommend that you write the model, serial number and
installation date of your water heater in the maintenance
section in the back of this manual.
This manual should be kept with the water heater.

3
GENERAL INFORMATION
This electric water heater’s design is certified by INTERTEK (ETL) and
listed in accordance with UL 174. CETL listed in accordance with
Canadian National Standard C22.2, No. 110-M90.
Water heaters with a capacity of 19 gallons through 119 gallons are
evaluated by INTERTEK in accordance with Part 280.707(d) (1) of HUD
Mobile Home Construction and Safety Standards for Energy Efficiency.
For mobile home installations, these water heaters must be installed in
accordance with Section 3280.709 of HUD Mobile Home Construction
and Safety Standards for Installation of Appliances.
This water heater must be installed in accordance with local codes. In
the absence of local codes, install this water heater in accordance with
the N.E.C. Reference Book (latest edition).
The warranty for this water heater is in effect only when the water
heater is installed, adjusted, and operated in accordance with these
Installation and Operating Instructions. The manufacturer will not be
held liable for damage resulting from alteration and/or failure to comply
with these instructions.
This water heater has been designed and certified for the purpose of
heating potable water. The installation and use of this water heater for
any purpose other than the heating of potable water, may cause damage
to the water heater and create a hazardous condition and nullify the
warranty.
Do not use this appliance if any part has been submerged in water. The
plumbing professional responsible for the installation of this water heater
should be contacted to inspect the appliance and to replace any part of
the control system, including thermostat, which has been submerged in
water.
Make sure that the rating plate on the water heater is referenced for
certainty that the correct voltage is being supplied to the water heater.
CAUTION
Incorrect operation of this appliance may create a hazard to life and
property and will nullify the warranty.
DANGER
Do not store or use gasoline or other flammable, combustible, or
corrosive vapors and liquids in the vicinity of this or any other appliance.

4
General Information continued-
A sacrificial anode(s) is used to extend tank life. Removal of any anode,
except for inspection and/or replacement, will nullify the warranty. In areas
where water is unusually active, an odor may occur at the hot water faucet
due to a reaction between the sacrificial anode and impurities in the water.
If this should happen, an alternative anode(s) may be purchased from the
supplier that installed this water heater. This will minimize the odor while
protecting the tank. Additionally, the water heater should be flushed with
appropriate dissolvers to eliminate any bacteria.
INSTALLATION
Locating the Water Heater
This water heater MUST be installed indoors out of the wind and
weather.
This water heater shall NOT be installed in any location where gasoline
or flammable vapors are likely to be present, unless the installation is
such to eliminate the probable ignition of gasoline or flammable vapors.
The location this water heater is to be installed is of utmost importance.
Before installing this water heater, consult the installation section of these
instructions. After reading these installation and operating instructions,
select a location for the water heater where the floor is level and is easily
accessible to a power supply and water connections. It is recommended that
the water heater be located near the center of greatest hot water usage to
prevent heat loss through the pipes.
DO NOT locate the water heater where water lines could be subjected to
freezing temperatures. Locate the water heater so that access panels
and drain valves are accessible.
WARNING
This product contains one or more chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm.
IMPORTANT
Before proceeding, please inspect the water heater and it’s components for
possible damage. DO NOT install any damaged components. If damage is
evident, please contact the supplier where the water heater was purchased
or the manufacturer listed on the rating plate for replacement parts.
WARNING
Water heaters are heat producing appliances. To avoid damage or
injury, there shall be no materials stored against the water heater and
proper care shall be taken to avoid unnecessary contact (especially by
children) with the water heater. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL
FLAMMABLE MATERIALS, SUCH AS GASOLINE OR PAINT THINNER BE
USED OR STORED IN THE VICINITY OF THIS WATER HEATER OR ANY
LOCATION FROM WHICH FUMES COULD REACH THE WATER HEATER.

5
Locating The Water Heater continued-
Some models are not equipped with a drain valve. For those models,
install a drain tee in the cold water inlet as close as practical to the
water heater.
Water heater corrosion and component failure can be caused by the
heating and breakdown of airborne chemical vapors. Examples of some
typical compounds that are potentially corrosive are: spray can
propellants, cleaning solvents, refrigerator and air conditioning
refrigerants, swimming pool chemicals, calcium or sodium chloride,
waxes and process chemicals. These materials are corrosive at very low
concentration levels with little or no odor to reveal their presence.
NOTE: DAMAGE TO THE WATER HEATER CAUSED BY EXPOSURE TO
CORROSIVE VAPORS IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. DO NOT
OPERATE THE WATER HEATER IF EXPOSURE HAS OR WILL OCCUR.
DO NOT STORE ANY POTENTIALLY CORROSIVE COMPOUNDS IN THE
VICINITY OF THE WATER HEATER.
This water heater must be located in an area where leakage of the tank
or water line connections and the combination temperature and pressure
relief valve will not result in damage to the area adjacent to the water
heater or to lower floors of the structure. When such locations cannot
be avoided, a suitable drain pan must be installed under the water
heater. The drain pan must have a minimum length and width of at
least 4 in. (10.2 cm) greater than the diameter of the water heater. The
drain pan, as described above, can be purchased from your plumbing
professional. The drain pan must be piped to an adequate drain. The
piping must be pitched for proper drainage.
CLEARANCES
1. Minimum clearance to combustible material is 0 inches for the Top,
Sides, Front, and Rear of this water heater. However, it is
recommended that at least 18 inches (45.7 cm) from the Top, and
24 inches (61 cm) from the Front. Clearance for servicing may be
reduced down to minimum clearance to combustible material, but
service time and effort may be greatly increased.
2. Increase distances to provide clearances for servicing.
To comply with NSF requirements this water heater is to be:
a) Sealed to the floor with sealant, in a smooth and easily cleanable
way, or
b) Installed with an optional leg kit that includes legs and/or
extensions that provide a minimum clearance of 6’’ beneath the
water heater.
Note: For California installation this water heater must be braced,
anchored, or strapped to avoid falling or moving during an earthquake.

6
See instructions for correct installation procedures. Instructions may
be obtained from DSA Headquarters Office, 1102 Q Street, Suite 5100,
Sacramento, CA 95811.

7
Water Connections
NOTE: BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH THE INSTALLATION, CLOSE THE
MAIN WATER SUPPLY VALVE.
After shutting the main water supply valve, open a faucet to relieve the
water line pressure to prevent any water from leaking out of the pipes
while making the water connections to the water heater. After the
pressure has been relieved, close the faucet. The COLD water inlet and
HOT water outlet are identified on top of the water heater. The fittings
at the cold water inlet and hot water outlet are dielectric waterway
fittings with 3/4’’ NPT tapered male threads. Make the proper plumbing
connections between the water heater and the plumbing system in the
house. Install a shut-off valve in the cold water supply line.
If this water heater is installed in a closed water supply system, such as
the one having a back-flow preventer in the cold water supply,
provisions shall be made to control thermal expansion. DO NOT operate
this water heater in a closed system without provisions for controlling
thermal expansion. Your water supplier or local plumbing inspector
should be contacted on how to control this situation.
After installation of the water lines, open the main water supply valve
and fill the water heater. While the water heater is filling, open several
hot water faucets to allow air to escape from the water system. When
a steady stream of water flows through the faucets, close them and
check all water connections for possible leaks. NEVER OPERATE THE
WATER HEATER WITHOUT FIRST BEING CERTAIN IT IS FILLED WITH
WATER.
CAUTION
If sweat fittings are to be used, DO NOT apply heat to the nipples on top
of the water heater. Sweat the tubing to the adapter before fitting the
adapter to the water connections. It is imperative that heat is not applied
to the nipples containing a plastic liner.
IMPORTANT
FAILURE TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN A NEW, LISTED 3/4’’ X 3/4’’
TEMPERATURE-PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE WILL RELEASE THE
MANUFACTURER FROM ANY CLAIM WHICH MIGHT RESULT FROM
EXCESSIVE TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURES.

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Water Connections continued-
WARNING
For protection against excessive temperatures and pressure, install
temperature and pressure protective equipment required by local codes,
but not less than a combination temperature 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 Requirements for Relief Valves and Automatic Gas Shutoff
Devices for Hot Water Supply Systems, ANSI Z21.22, and the Standard
CAN1-4.4 Temperature, Pressure, Temperature and Pressure Relief
Valves and Vacuum Relief Valves. The combination temperature and
pressure relief valve shall be marked with a maximum set pressure, not
to exceed the maximum working pressure of the water heater. The
combination temperature and pressure relief valve shall also have an
hourly rated temperature steam BTU discharge capacity not less than
the hourly input rating of the water heater.
Install the combination temperature and pressure relief valve into the
opening provided and marked for this purpose on the water heater
Note: Some models may already be equipped or supplied with a
combination temperature and pressure relief valve. Verify that the
combination temperature and pressure relief valve complies with local
codes. If the combination temperature and pressure relief valve does
not comply with local codes, replace it with one that does. Follow the
installation instructions above on this page.
Install a discharge line so that water discharged from the combination
temperature and pressure relief valve will exit within six (6) inches (15.3
cm) above, or any distance below the structural floor and cannot contact
any live electrical part. The discharge line is to be installed to allow for
complete drainage of both the temperature and pressure relief valve and
the discharge line. The discharge opening must not be subjected to
blockage or freezing. DO NOT thread, plug or cap the discharge line. It
is recommended that a minimum of four (4) inches (10.2 cm) be
provided on the side of the water heater for servicing and maintenance
of the combination temperature and pressure relief valve.
Do not place a valve between the combination temperature and
pressure relief valve and the tank

9
Water Connections continued-
WARNING
Hydrogen gas can be produced in a hot water system served by this
water heater that has not been used for a long period of time (generally
two weeks or more). Hydrogen gas is extremely flammable. 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. If
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.
CAUTION
INCREASING THE THERMOSTAT SETTING ABOVE THE PRESET
TEMPERATURE MAY CAUSE SEVERE BURNS AND CONSUME
EXCESSIVE ENERGY. HOTTER WATER INCREASES THE RISK OF
SCALD INJURY.

10
Water Connections continued-
This water heater can deliver scalding temperature water at any faucet
in the system. Be careful whenever using hot water to avoid scalding
injury. Certain appliances, such as dishwashers and automatic clothes
washers, may require increased temperature water. By setting the
thermostat on this water heater to obtain increased temperature water
required by these appliances, you may create the potential for scald
injury. To protect against injury, you should install an ASSEapproved
mixing valve in the water system. This valve will reduce point of
discharge temperature by mixing cold and hot water in branch supply
lines. Such valves are available from the manufacturer of this water
heater or a local plumbing supplier. Please consult with a plumbing
professional.
APPROXIMATE TIME/TEMPERATURE RELATIONSHIPS IN SCALDS
120°F (49°C)
More than 5 minutes
125°F (52°C)
1½ to 2 minutes
130°F (54°C)
About 30 seconds
135°F (57°C)
About 10 seconds
140°F (60°C)
Less than 5 seconds
145°F (63°C)
Less than 3 seconds
150°F (66°C)
About 1½ seconds
155°F (68°C)
About 1 second
(52°C) can cause severe burns
are at highest risk of being
Children, disabled and elderly
instantly or death from scalds.
Water temperature over 125°F
Feel water before bathing or
before setting temperature
available.
showering.
Temperature limiting valves are
Review this instruction manual
at water heater.
scalded.