Hot water heater-power loss reset my circuit breaker and now I cannot get hot water consistantly

check with a vom set on high voltage setting. for power... black wire to black wire,, white wire to red wire on heater ground wire to tank ..on 220v there is no neutral like on 110volts..check red reset button under top panel / control push on it resets it,,,

Breaker could be bad.
Let's do a quick check and save you money.
Open top cover on water heater and push in red reset button that might be tripped.
If reset is tripped, water heater should turn ON.
If reset will not reset, then replace upper thermostat:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html
If reset is not tripped out, then it is OK, so test two top wires on upper thermostat.
Use cheap multimeter from home center, and set dial to 240-250-277 VAC.
Test across top two screws on upper thermostat to see if you have 240Volts.
To do full troubleshoot on ordinary tank electric water heater takes 30 minutes and multimeter
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

If water heater is not receiving 240V, then the breaker is suspect, or a wire between breaker and water heater is loose.
See basic water heater circuit
http://waterheatertimer.org/240-v-water-heater-circuit.html

Now let's look at circuit breaker:
Mark suspect 240V breaker.
Identify all your breakers, and also mark another 240 Volt breaker that is same amperage as water heater 240V breaker.
Turn off main breaker.
Take front panel off breaker box.
The wires and lugs on main breaker are HOT, so stay away from that area.
http://waterheatertimer.org/See-inside-main-breaker-box.html
Suspect breaker has 2 wires coming from breaker.
See if one or both wires are loose, and then tighten.

If wires are tight, then move these wires to the other 240V breaker that is rated for same amps as water heater.
Now turn on main breaker.
Put ear against water heater tank to hear bubbly fizzing sound.
This will identify if circuit breaker is bad, or if water heater needs a full troubleshoot.
It is not a good idea to run two 240V appliances on same 240V circuit breaker, so you may have to decide one or the other appliance until you can replace breaker.
Instructions to replace circuit breaker:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-circuit-breaker.html

Add a comment for more free help.
Also take advantage of fixya phone service.
For a price, fixya expert speaks with you over phone while you work on water heater circuit.

If your water has NO hot water, then click circuit breaker

Next, click red reset button.
Turn off power.
Open cover on water heater.
If heater has 2 covers, open top cover
After re-seting water heater, insulation must be put back over thermostat to prevent cooler air from affecting thermostat.

1) Reset button is a good starting place to check water heater.
Reset clicks off for a number of reasons, including overheated water.

2) Reset will not reset, then replace thermostat.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html

3) Resets clicks on, but clicks off again later, you should diagnose the problem.
Clicking reset is not a hazard
Click the reset as often as you want until you have time to diagnose.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-water-heater.html

4) Reset is not tripped, and you still do not have hot water:
Then use tester on top two screws (T1 - T3 screws -or- 1 and 3 screws) of upper thermostat to check if you have power.

If you have power, then replace thermostat.
If problems continue, a full diagnosis is needed as per the link above

If you need more help, add a comment and I will respond

The easiest way to check is to turn on the hot water at a faucet. If you don't get any hot water then you know that the tank is not working. The only switch is the circuit breaker or fuse which send power to your electric tank. J.

Remove access panels on water heater's side the top thermostat has a red reset button on it.
Press reset button and it will take about 30 mins or more to get hot water. If you have a meter or test light check wires to elements for power.

This would be the first thing to check on the water heater.

If you checked the reset, then the next thing to check would be the breaker in your breaker box. If that doesnt work start checking the elements. The reset, the thermostat and the elements are pretty much all that can go wrong with an electric water heater, short of a leaky tank or faulty t&p valve. Hope this helps.

If you are not familiar with the element, I would get someone that is familiar with one and have them do it. It's not something I would recommend you do based on your question. There's electrical, pressurized water tank, and a whole lot of water that may cause you to have a worse bad day.

Please get an expert in - this is either the breaker is faulty or you have an electric fault int he boiler. You can try and replace the breaker - but match the current rating. But this could be dangerous if you keep trying to reset.

If you reset the water heater the first time you were without, Then odds are it is the water heater. probably an element went back. If the power off check for continuity.

Please rate this response and Good Luck, Phil