American Water Heater HeavyDuty Surface Thermostat Commercial Electric STCE3150 80 119 User Manual

							1
Instruction Manual
PRINTED 1215 198079-008
PLACE THESE INSTRUCTIONS ADJACENT TO HEATER AND NOTIFY OWNER TO KEEP FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
COMMERCIAL ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS 
Thank you for buying this energy efficient water heater. 
We appreciate your confidence in our products.
MODELS STCE31-50/80/119 & 
ITCE31-50/80/119
INSTALLATION - OPERATION - SERVICE   
MAINTENANCE - LIMITED WARRANTY
(OPTIONAL)
www .americanwaterheate r.co m
American Wa ter Heater
Johnson City, TN 37605 
						

							2
SAFE INSTALLATION, USE, AND SERVICE
The proper installation, use and servicing of this water heater is extre\
mely important to your safety and the safety of others.
Many safety-related messages and instructions have been provided in this manual and on your own water heater to warn you and 
others of a potential injury hazard.  Read and obey all safety messages \
and instructions throughout this manual.  It is very important 
that the meaning of each safety message is understood by you and others \
who install, use, or service this water heater.
This is the safety alert symbol.  It is used to alert you 
to potential personal injury hazards.  Obey all safety 
messages that follow this symbol to avoid possible 
injury or death.
IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS
•  	 Qualified	Installer	or	Service	Agency:
  Installation and service of this water heater requires ability equivalent to that of a Qualified Agency (as defined by ANSI below) in the 
field involved. Installation skills such as plumbing, electrical supply are required in addition to electrical testing skills when performing 
service.
•  	 ANSI	Z223.1	2006	Sec.	3.3.83:  
  “Qualified Agency” - “Any individual, firm, corporation or company that either in person or through a representative is engaged in and is 
responsible  for  (a)  the  installation,  testing  or  replacement  of  gas  piping  or  (b)  the  connection,  installation,  testing,  repair  or  servicing  of 
appliances and equipment; that is experienced in such work; that is familiar with all precautions required; and that has complied with all 
the requirements of the authority having jurisdiction.”
 DANGER 
 WARNING 
 CAUTION  
DANGER indicates an imminently hazardous 
situation which, if not avoided, will result in 
death or injury.
WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous 
situation which, if not avoided, could result 
in death or injury.
CAUTION  indicates a potentially hazardous 
situation which, if not avoided, could result 
in minor or moderate injury.
CAUTION used without the safety alert 
symbol indicates a potentially hazardous 
situation which, if not avoided, could result 
in property damage.
CAUTION
All safety messages will generally tell you about the type of hazard, what can happen if you do n\
ot follow the safety message, and 
how to avoid the risk of injury. 
						

							3
GENERAL SAFETY INFORMATION
When servicing this unit, verify the power to the unit is turned off pri\
or to opening the control cabinet door.
PRECAUTIONS
DO NOT USE THIS WATER HEATER IF ANY PART HAS BEEN 
EXPOSED  TO  FLOODING  OR  WATER  DAMAGE. Immediately 
call a qualified service technician to inspect the water heater and to 
replace any part of the control system which has been under water.
If the unit is exposed to the following, do not operate heater until all 
corrective steps have been made by a qualified service technician.
1. External fire.
2.  Damage.
3.  Firing without water.
GROUNDING INSTRUCTIONS
This  water  heater  must  be  grounded  in  accordance  with  the 
National  Electrical  Code  and/or  local  codes.  These  must  be 
followed in all cases. Failure to ground this water heater properly 
may also cause erratic control system operation on ELECTRONIC 
CONTROL models.
This water heater must be connected to a grounded metal, permanent 
wiring system; or an equipment grounding conductor must be run with 
the  circuit  conductors  and  connected  to  the  equipment  grounding 
terminal or lead on the water heater.
HYDROGEN GAS (FLAMMABLE)
Hydrogen gas can be produced in a hot water system served by this 
heater that has not been used for a long period of time (generally two 
weeks or more). Hydrogen gas is extremely flammable.
 To reduce the 
risk of injury under these conditions, it is recommended that the hot water 
faucet be opened for several minutes at the kitchen sink before using any 
electrical appliance connected to the hot water system. If hydrogen is present 
there will probably be an unusual sound such as air escaping through the pipe 
as the water begins to flow. 
THERE SHOULD BE NO SMOKING OR 
OPEN FLAME NEAR THE FAUCET AT THE TIME IT IS OPEN.
Improper installation, use and service may
result in property damage.
CAUT ION
 Do not operate water heater if any part has been  
  exposed to flooding or water damage .
 Inspect anode rods regularly, replace  when significantly  depleted.
 Install in location with drainage.
 Fill tank with water before operation.
 Properly sized thermal expansion tanks are required on all
  closed water systems.
Refer to this manual for installation and service. 
						

							4
Thank You  for  purchasing  this  water  heater.    Properly  installed  and 
maintained, it should give you years of trouble free service.
Abbreviations Found In This Instruction Manual:
• AHRI - Air Condition, Heating and Refrigeration Institute
•  ANSI - American National Standards Institute
•  ASME - American Society of Mechanical Engineers
•  NEC - National Electrical Code
•  NFPA - National Fire Protection Association
•  UL - Underwriters Laboratory
PREPARING FOR THE INSTALLATION
1. Read the “General Safety Information” section of this manual first and 
then the entire manual carefully. If you don’t follow the safety rules, the 
water heater may not operate safely. It could cause DEATH, SERIOUS 
BODILY INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
 This manual contains instructions for the installation, operation, 
and maintenance of the electric water heater.  It also contains 
warnings  throughout  the  manual  that  you  must  read  and  be 
aware of.  All warnings and all instructions are essential to the 
proper  operation  of  the  water  heater  and  your  safety.    READ 
THE ENTIRE MANUAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO INSTALL 
OR OPERATE THE WATER HEATER.
 Detailed installation diagrams are in this manual. These diagrams will 
serve  to  provide  the  installer  with  a  reference  for  the  materials  and 
method  of  piping  suggested.  IT  IS  NECESSARY  THAT ALL  WATER 
PIPING  AND  THE  ELECTRICAL  WIRING  BE  INSTALLED  AND 
CONNECTED AS SHOWN IN THE DIAGRAMS.
 Particular attention should be given to the installation of thermometers 
at the locations indicated in the diagrams as these are necessary for 
checking the operation of  the heater.
 Be sure to turn off power when working on or near the electrical 
system of the heater. Never touch electrical components with wet 
hands or when standing in water. When replacing fuses always use 
the correct size for the circuit. see page 13.
 The principal components of the heater are identified on pages  7 & 8. 
The model and rating plate on page 6 interprets certain markings into 
useful information. Both of these references should be used to identify 
the heater, its components and optional equipment.
2.   The  installation  must  conform  with  these  instructions  and  the 
local  code  authority  having  jurisdiction  and  the  requirements  of 
the power company. In the absence of local codes, the installation 
must  comply  with  the  current  editions  of  the  National  Electrical 
Code,  NFPA  70  or  the  Canadian  Electrical  Code  CSA  C22.1. 
The National Electrical Code may be ordered from: National Fire 
Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269. 
The  Canadian  Electrical  Code  is  available  from  the  Canadian 
Standards  Association,  8501  East  Pleasant  Valley  Road, 
Cleveland, OH 44131.
3.   If  after  reading  this  manual  you  have  any  questions  or  do  not 
understand any portion of the instructions, call the toll free number 
listed on the back cover of this manual for technical assistance. 
  A  sample  rating  plate  is  shown  on  page  6  of  this  manual.  In  order 
to  expedite  your  request,  please  have  full  model  and  serial  number 
available for the technician.
4.   Carefully plan your intended placement of the water heater.  Examine 
the location to ensure the water heater complies with the “Locating 
the New Water Heater” section in this manual.
  Installation and service of this water heater requires ability equivalent 
to that of a licensed tradesman or qualified agency (page 2) in the 
field involved. Plumbing and electrical work are required.
5.   For  installation  in  California  this  water  heater  must  be  braced  or 
anchored  to  avoid  falling  or  moving  during  an  earthquake.  See 
instructions for correct installation procedures. Instructions may be 
obtained from California Office of the State Architect, 1102 Q Street, 
Suite 5100, Sacramento, CA 95811.
6.   Massachusetts  Code  requires  this  water  heater  to  be  installed  in 
accordance with Massachusetts 248-CMR 2.00: State Plumbing Code 
and 248-CMR 5.00.
INTRODUCTION
SAFE INSTALLATION, USE AND SERVICE .....................................2
GENERAL SAFETY INFORMATION  .................................................3
TABLE OF CONTENTS  ..................................................................... 4
INTRODUCTION  ............................................................................... 4
  Preparing for the New Installation  ............................................. 4
DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES DATA  ........................................... 5
APPROVALS  ..................................................................................... 6
FEATURES AND COMPONENTS  .................................................7-8
LOCATING THE NEW WATER HEATER  ..........................................9
INSTALLATION  ............................................................................... 10
  Required Ability  ........................................................................ 10
  General  .................................................................................... 10
  Mixing Valve Usage  ................................................................. 10
  Chemical Vapor Corrosion  ....................................................... 10
  Circulating Pump  ..................................................................... 10
  Insulation Blankets  .................................................................. 10
  Temperature-Pressure Relief Valve  ....................................10-11
  Water Line Connection  ............................................................ 11
  Closed Water System  .............................................................. 11
  Thermal Expansion  .................................................................. 11
ELECTRICAL  .................................................................................. 12
OPERATION  .................................................................................... 19
  General  .................................................................................... 19
  Filling the Water Heater  ........................................................... 19
  Start Up  ................................................................................... 19
  Draining the Water Heater  ....................................................... 19
TEMPERATURE REGULATION  ..................................................... 20
  High Temperature Devices  ...................................................... 20
  Thermostat Controls  ................................................................ 20
  Thermostat Settings – Surface Mount Control Models  ............ 20
  Thermostat Settings – Electronic Control Models  ................... 21ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODELS OPERATION 
.........................21
  Control System Features  ......................................................... 21
  Control System Navigation  ...................................................... 21
  Desktop Screen  .................................................................. 21-23
  Temperatures Menu  ............................................................ 23-24
  Temperature Settings  .............................................................. 24
  Heater Status Menu  ................................................................. 25
  Economy Mode Setup Menu  .............................................. 25-26
  Economy Mode Settings  ..................................................... 26-28
  Alarm Output Setup Menu  ....................................................... 29
  Display Settings Menu  ............................................................. 29
  Heater Information Menu  .................................................... 29-30
  Current Fault / Alert Menu  ....................................................... 30
  Fault Occurrence Menu  ........................................................... 30
  Restore Factory Defaults Menu  .......................................... 30-31
MAINTENANCE  .............................................................................. 31
  General  ............................................................................... 31-32
  Flushing  ................................................................................... 32
  Sediment Removal  .................................................................. 32
  Water and Lime Scale Removal  ......................................... 32-33
TROUBLESHOOTING CHECKLIST  ............................................... 34
  Not Enough or No Water  ......................................................... 34
  Water Heater Makes Strange Sounds  ..................................... 34
 
If You Cannot Identify or Correct the Source of Malfunction  ............ 17
  Leakage Checkpoints  .............................................................. 35
PIPING DIAGRAMS  ................................................................... 36-47
MANIFOLD DIAGRAMS  .................................................................. 48
PARTS LIST  ............................................................................... 48-49
WARRANTY  .................................................................................... 51
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
						

							5
DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES DATA
Model NumberTank Capacity in Gallons (Liters) A - Inches (mm)B - Inches (mm)C - Inches (mm) Inlet/Outlet
(S,I)TCE31-50 50 (189.3)55 3/4 (1416)21 3/4 (552) 27 (685)1 1/4
(S,I)TCE31-80 80 (302.8)60 1/4 (1350)25 1/2 (648) 31 (787)1 1/4
(S,I)TCE31-119 119 (450.5)62 1/4 (1581)29 1/2 (749) 35 (889)1 1/4
Table 1. 
RECOVERY RATE IN GALLONS PER HOUR*
Temperature Rise °F
Standard
KW Input BTU/
Hour
30°40°50°60°70°80° 90°100° 110°120° 130° 140°
6 20,478 826249413531 27 252221 19 18
9 30,717 1239274625346 41 373431 28 26
12 40,956164123 98827061 55 494541 38 35
13.5 46,075184138111 927969 62 555046 43 40
15 51,195205154123102 8877 68 615651 47 44
18 61,434246184148123105 9282 746761 57 53
24 81,912328246197164140123 109 988982 76 70
27 92,151369276221184158138 123 111101 9285 79
30 102,390 410307246205176154 137 123 11 2102 9588
36 122,868 4923692952462 11184 164 148134123 11 3105
40.5 138,2265544183332 2772372081185 166151138 128 11 9
45 153,585 615461369307263230 205 184168154 142 132
54 184,302 738553443369316277 246 221201184 170 158
*Figured at 1 KW (3413 Btu) = 4.1 gallons at 100°F temperature rise.
To determine recovery rate per minute, divide recovery rate per hour by 60.
Table 2. 
Figure 1 
This Instruction Manual covers two different commercial 
electric	water	heater	models:
The first models, identified as “STCE”, are referred to as “Surface Mount 
Control” model. Those models are factory equipped with surface mounted 
thermostat/ECO combination control.
The second models, identified as “ITCE”, are referred to as electronic control 
model, are factory equipped with an electronic control system and immersion-
type temperature probe. 
						

							6
APPROVALS
MODEL AND RATING
All models are listed  by Underwriters 
Laboratories Inc.
All models meet 
National Sanitation 
Foundation NSF-5 
requirements.
 
 L IS TE D
  22U 1
No. OFW ATTSPH ASE VOLTS - A C ELEMEN TS EACH
R ATE D MEA SURE D%WATTS
CO MME RCIA L S TO RA GE
T A NK W ATE R HE ATE R
M ODEL NUM BER SERIA L NUM BER IT E M  ID  / P AR T NUM BER
W ATTS
T O TA L
C APA C IT Y  U S G AL STA NDBY  L O SS MAX W ORKI NG
P R ESSURE
Low Lead Content
Low Lead Content 
						

							7
FEATURES AND COMPONENTS
ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODELS
Figure 2  
						

							8
FEATURES AND COMPONENTS
SURFACE MOUNT CONTROL MODELS
Figure 3  
						

							9
FACTS TO CONSIDER ABOUT THE LOCATION
Carefully choose a location for the new water heater. The placement 
is a very important consideration for the safety of the occupants in 
the building and for the most economical use of the water heater. 
Whether replacing an old water heater or putting the water heater in 
a new location, the following critical points must be observed. The 
water heater must be located:
•  On a level surface. Shim the channel type skid base as necessary 
if levelling is required.
LOCATING THE NEW WATER HEATER
•  Near a floor drain. The heater should be located in an area where 
leakage of the tank or connections will not result in damage to 
the area adjacent to the heater or to lower floors of the structure.
•  Close to the point of major hot water usage and the power supply.
•  Hot  water  piping  and  branch  circuit  wiring  should  be  as  short 
as possible.
•  Insulate  hot  and  cold  water  piping  where  heat  loss  and 
condensation may be a problem.
•  Heater  construction  permits  installation,  maintenance,  and 
service work to be performed through the front control panel.
•  Suggested clearances from adjacent surfaces are 12 inches 
on top, 30 inches in front for access to the unit.
•  The heater may be installed on or against combustible surfaces. 
The  left  side  and  back  may  be  placed  flush  against  adjacent 
surfaces.
•  The temperature of the space in which the water heater is installed 
must not go below 32°F or above 122°F. 
						

							10
INSTALLATION
REQUIRED ABILITY
Installation and service of this water heater requires ability equivalent 
to that of a qualified agency (page 2) in the field involved. Plumbing 
and electrical work is required.
GENERAL
The  installation  must  conform  with  these  instructions  and  the 
local  code authority having jurisdiction and the requirements of 
the power company. In the absence of local codes, the installation 
must  comply  with  the  current  editions  of  the  National  Electrical 
Code,  NFPA  70  or  the  Canadian  Electrical  Code  CSA  C22.1. 
The National Electrical Code may be ordered from: National Fire 
Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269. 
The  Canadian  Electrical  Code  is  available  from  the  Canadian 
Standards  Association,  8501  East  Pleasant  Valley  Road, 
Cleveland, OH 44131.
Note:	To comply with NSF Standard 5 installation requirements 
the bottom of the water heater must be sealed to the floor with a 
silicone based sealant or elevated 6 inches above the floor.
Do  NOT  test electrical system before heater is filled with water, follow   
the START UP procedure in the OPERATION section of this manual.
The  principal  components  of  the  heater  are  identified  in  the 
Features and Components illustrations on pages 6 and 7.
Wa ter temperature over 125°F (52°C)
can cause severe burns instantly
resulting in severe injury or death.
Children, the elderly and the
physically or mentally disabled are at
highest risk for scald injury .
Feel water before bathing or
showering.
Te mperature limiting devices such as
mixing valves must be installed
when required by codes and to
ensure safe temperatures at fixtures.
MIXING	VALVE	USAGE: 
Water heaters are intended to produce hot water. Water heated to 
a  temperature  which  will  satisfy  space  heating,  clothes  washing, 
dish  washing,  cleaning  and  other  sanitizing  needs  can  scald  and 
permanently injure you upon contact. Some people are more likely 
to be permanently injured by hot water than others. These include 
the  elderly,  children,  the  infirm,  or  physically/developmentally 
disabled. If anyone using hot water in your home fits into one of these 
groups or if there is a local code or state law requiring a maximum 
water temperature at the hot water tap, then you must take special 
precautions.  In  addition  to  using  the  lowest  possible  temperature 
setting  that  satisfies  your  hot  water  needs,  a  means  such  as  a 
MIXING VALVE, should be used at the hot water taps used by these 
people or at the water heater.  
MIXING VALVES   for  reducing  point  of  use  temperature  are 
available.  Consult a qualified installer or service agency. Follow all 
manufacturer’s  Instructions  for  installation  of  these  valves.  Before 
changing the factory setting on the thermostat, read the “Temperature 
Regulation” section in this manual.
CONTAMINATED WATER
This  water  heater  shall  not  be  connected  to  any  heating 
system(s)  or  component(s)  used  with  a  non-potable  water 
heating appliance.
Toxic chemicals, such as those used for boiler treatment shall not 
be introduced into this system.
CIRCULATING PUMP
Field  installed  circulating  pumps  should  be  of  all  bronze 
construction.
INSULATION BLANKETS
Insulation  blankets  are  available  to  the  general  public  for 
external use on electric water heaters but are not necessary with 
this product. The purpose of an insulation blanket is to reduce 
the standby heat loss encountered with storage tank heaters. 
Your water heater meets or exceeds the EPACT and ASHRAE/
IES 90.1 standards with respect to insulation and standby loss 
requirements, making an insulation blanket unnecessary.
Should you choose to apply an insulation blanket to this heater, 
you  should  follow  these  instructions  below.  Failure  to  follow 
these  instructions  can  result  in  fire,  serious  personal  injury, 
or death.
•  Do not cover the temperature  and  pressure  relief  (T & P) valve 
  with an insulation blanket.
•  Do  not  cover  the  instruction  manual.  Keep  it  on  the  side  of  the 
  water heater or nearby for future reference.
•  Do  obtain  new  warning  and  instruction  labels  for  placement  on 
  the blanket directly over the existing labels.
TEMPERATURE-PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE
This  water  heater  is  provided  with  a  properly  rated/sized 
and  certified  combination  temperature  -  pressure  relief  valve