Heating Element not drawing enough power

[ryanryates]

Hi All -

Need some advice. Last week I ran the inaugural brew on my updated system (half barrel). I have a 50 amp box providing power to HLT (5500 watt element), Boil Kettle (5500 watt element), and RIMS (4500 watt element). Obviously I can only run 2/3 elements at one time.

The issue was my HLT element - it was only pulling 8-9 amps. Heated fine, but certainly not hitting the full 5500 watts. The boil kettle was pulling closer to 20 amps. I checked voltage and it was right on at 240v. Resistance came in at about 10.5 ohms (which seems ok?).

I suspect it may be an issue with the element itself. I have since replaced it with a new element but have not tested it.

Thoughts? Could there be another reason why the element was not pulling the full amperage?

 

[tll77]

Was 240V measured across an active element? Are you certain the element is the only component in the circuit?
240V across the element terminals pulling only 9A indicates a resistance around 27ohms.
9A through 10.5ohms indicates about 100V across the element.
I would check the resistance of the element dry, then again when mounted to the tank and under water. I would also make certain there is no continuity between element terminals and the tank body, again with water in the tank.

 

[tofuguy]

240V across the element terminals pulling only 9A indicates a resistance around 27ohms.
9A through 10.5ohms indicates about 100V across the element.

The math here is too perfect.. I would check continuity and resistance on both legs of your 240V circuit going to the element.