Heating Element Dry Fire Demonstration

This is a demonstration of a 5500 watt element "Dry Firing".

[driftless]

Would sand be able to pull heat away from the element in the same way water would? I've been considering a solar sand mass heater system where I could burry some elements, but this video exemplifies my biggest fear. Is there a way to distribute the wattage from a solar panel to a series of water heater elements, where the wattage would be divided up and less likely to melt down?

[johnmixon]

The element needs water to conduct the heat away from the element. The thermostat/ heat sensor is mounted just above the element. Not enough water to reach the thermostat, it can not disconnect the power to the element. Also, a lot of sludge/sediment in the tank can cause the element to over heat & burn out. Same thing happens to your car engine with low or no coolent.

[matthewlassise]

That's gotta be about 3600 degrees Fahrenheit when it busts!🔥🔥🔥🔥

[matthewlassise]

Holy crap that water heater element is glowing mega bright hot 🔥. What happens not submerged in water! Where holes burn open on the element thats white hot like a light bulb filament!

[jshepard]

If you're restarting an empty heater, make sure you remove all the air from the tank by RUNNING WATER ALL THE WAY INTO the home before you apply power to the tank. These elements will burn up fast in the top of the tank if there's air in there.

[iwantosavemoney]

Ones your tank is purged one time it should be good this quite a few times is just ridiculous yes I plumbed for about 10 years

[derekscheltmeyer]

I wonder if this releases toxic heavy metals into your home..