Cover plate on top of water heater gets very hot

[ajm222]

Hello,

I noticed a smell (maybe slightly sweet metallic) coming from my electric hot water heater. I’ve pinpointed it precisely to the cover plate on top where the electrical supply is connected. When the unit is active and someone is running hot water, this plate gets very hot to the touch. Then it cools back down again when not in use. Just wondering if that’s normal. The heat coming off of it plus the smell had me a little concerned.

Thanks

 

[Twowaxhack]

You may have a loose wire connection in junction box where it’s getting hot and smelling.

 

[ajm222]

Thank you for the response. So is that to also suggest that this plate is not supposed to get hot at all, or can that part be normal? Regardless, I’ll have someone probably check it out. It’s been a few years at least since it was installed and we probably need to have it drained as well.

 

[BlueSkyHigh]

As TW said, this is an indication of a possible loose connection and, no, I don't think it is normal. If you are confident in your ability to safely check this out do it ASAP and, if not confident, get a plumber or an electrician out there to isolate and correct the issue.

 

[wpns]

If it's too hot to touch and smells like something's overheating, the definitely get it looked at. Best case is it fails open and you don't have hot water some day, worst case is you burn your house down.

 

[ajm222]

Thanks again. Doesn’t really smell like anything overheating. But definitely can get quite hot to the touch. Oddly over the last few days this hasn’t been happening as much. Gets warm from time to time but not super hot like before.
I notice the line from the hot side is always hot, 24/7, as well. But I’m assuming that’s normal. No other indications of an issue anywhere. Will get it checked out. Leaving on vacation on a few days for a week. Worried what could happen if I don’t do anything, but also worried about anything happening if I do - if perhaps a plumber comes in and makes a change and there’s an issue in a few days when we aren’t around.

 

[wpns]

I always turn off the breaker to my electric hot water heater when I'm on vacation anyway, if only to save power. Just remember to turn it bak on when you get home.

 

[ajm222]

That’s a good idea, thanks

 

[BlueSkyHigh]

I always turn off the breaker to my electric hot water heater when I'm on vacation anyway, if only to save power. Just remember to turn it bak on when you get home.

Unexpectedly cold showers are no fun!