Confused! power but no heat.

**zazbnf** · 02-07-2012, 02:45 AM

ok I am confused, I recently finished my electric build based on the diagram below from P-J. Fired it up for the first time tonight using water. I have power at the elements, however the elements do not heat up. I have done some testing, using camco 5500w elements, results are:

element pole to ground = 120v each side
element pole to pole = 0v (should this be 220???
resistance across element poles 10.6 ohms

Both elements have same readings, I do not have an amp meter but may try to borrow one from a buddy and get some readings.

Here is the schematic I am working from.

**mux** · 02-07-2012, 02:51 AM

You may have a phase issue.

RDWHAHB · 02-07-2012, 03:06 AM

Yep, sounds like you have the same 120 vac leg to both sides of the element. You need to grab both legs (two different phases).

**zazbnf** · 02-07-2012, 03:27 AM

Thanks, hadn't considered that. My power is coming from a 50a welder plug that I have used for years with my welder into a spa panel via my welder extension cord (the cord is 4/3 SOOW) then from spa panel into my brewery control panel.

Is there a way to use my meter to test if I got the phases mixed up somewhere?

Thanks

RDWHAHB · 02-07-2012, 04:16 AM

I'm sure the existing welder plug is good. Test the 2 legs where they enter the panel. There should be 240v across them, 120 v to ground. Trace that out to verify the 2 different phases are going to the different sides of the elements.

Hermit · 02-07-2012, 06:40 AM

240VAC service is center tapped single phase service. It may appear to be two legs 180 degrees out of phase but it is still actually single phase. OP. You need 240VAC at the element.

RDWHAHB · 02-07-2012, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hermit

240VAC service is center tapped single phase service. It may appear to be two legs 180 degrees out of phase but it is still actually single phase.

While I agree, it is all semantics. There are two legs of power 180 degrees out of phase from each.

**zazbnf** · 02-08-2012, 12:55 AM

I believe I have isolated the problem, but it doesn't make sense to me. I tested power coming into brewery control panel and across main poles where it should be 240v it was 75v. I worked backwards, and power entering the spa panel was also 75v. went back to the welder plug and it was 246v.

That leaves the problem to be inside my extension cord. I did notice that the recepticle end of the cord had some surface rust on the metal parts. Haven't used this cord for a few years it has been hanging on the wall in an unheated morton building. Could rusted/corroded connections cause the odd readings?

I haven't taken the ends apart yet, will try to look at it over the weekend when I have more time.

Thanks

**mux** · 02-08-2012, 01:00 AM

So you got 246v at receptacle. You place cord into receptacle and test opposite end to find 75v? Troubleshooting done- for now!

**zazbnf** · 02-08-2012, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mux

So you got 246v at receptacle. You place cord into receptacle and test opposite end to find 75v? Troubleshooting done- for now!

75v just seems to be an odd reading, was curious how that could even happen.