Stiebel Eltron Overheating Electrical Component

Water heater emits a burning smell or visible smoke during operation.

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Safety Warning

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

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Possible Causes

Loose high-current connection overheating, Failing heating element terminal, Burnt relay or PCB trace, Foreign material inside casing contacting hot parts

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety: Immediately turn off power at the breaker and do not use the heater until inspected. Risk of fire.

  • Visual inspection: After the unit cools, remove the cover and look for burnt insulation, discolored terminals, or charred PCB areas.
  • Tighten and repair: Tighten any loose terminals and replace any melted connectors or wiring with high-temperature rated parts.
  • Clean interior: Remove any foreign objects, dust buildup, or insects that may have entered the casing.
  • Replace damaged components: If a relay, terminal block, or section of the control board is burnt, replace the affected component or entire board.
  • Professional evaluation: Due to fire risk, have a qualified technician verify all repairs and test the unit under load before returning it to service.
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Repair Difficulty

Professional Required 5/5

Required Part

Terminal Block / Main Control Board / Heating Element Terminals
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