We have a 501 in our office and we have no hot water. I have checked the breakers and I don't know what to do from there. Any suggestions?

Reliance made a 501 electric heater and 501 gas water heater.

Which do you have, gas or electric?

http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-adjust-water-heater-temperature.html

http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html

http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-gas-water-heater.html

Gene

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Reliance water heater?
Thermocouple is good if the pilot stays lit continuously.

501 is older model. Unknown if this unit has FVIR protection and sealed combustion chamber or open air intake on front of unit.
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Reliance-2006-Service-Handbook.pdf

With FVIR protection:
Get more fresh air to the unit.
Clean the flame arrestor screen.
Test and replace the thermocouple:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-thermocouple.html
Inspect and clean burner and combustion parts
Test gas pressure, bleed air out of gas line.
Replace gas control valve.
Test draft air by lighting match and see if smoke is pulled into the vent pipe at draft hood on top of tank.

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Emergency steps:
Turn electric power off.
Release tank pressure by opening bathtub faucet on hot side.
Turn off water supply to heater.
You can turn water heater ON for short periods (1/2 hour) to make some hot water until repairs are made.

It sounds like runaway heating caused by shorted element, possibly caused by leaking water. But I cannot tell for certain what the problem is. Read following links and/or call plumber.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Leaking-water-heater.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

Over-amping:
Look at watt rating label on side of tank.
For example 4500 watt water heater requires 30 amp breaker and 10 gauge wire.
If you have 20 amp breaker and 12 gauge wire, then change elements to max 3800 watts. Tank will heat more slowly.

You have to fix leaks, and I cannot see that problem. Call plumber or repost question with clear description of leak.

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Replace both thermostats and test both elements.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.htmlhttp://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html
Power is off while doing these repairs.
If water is hot, then you know that electric line and circuit breaker are working correctly.

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Not knowing how old the unit is, it's possible that both elements could be bad, especially if you ru out of hot water quickly. If your sure the breaker is okay and you know how to use a voltage meter. Check the voltage at the thermostats and elements. While you are looking at the thermostat(s), press the red reset button and give it about 5 minutes and see if you hear the water heating up. If you have voltage at the thermostats and the elements. Turn the power off and check for continuity through the elements. If you don not have continuity, the element is bad. If all seems to check out, you probably have a bad upper thermostat. Check all connections and inspect the wires.

I don't have specific suggestion for tankless tripping breaker or if that is a circuit breaker problem or a tankless problem.

1) Move wires to another same-size breaker and see if problem persists.

2) Compare amp draw on tankless label with wire size and breaker size amp rating.
For example 30 amp breaker using 10ga wire is rated for 80% of listed amps or 24 amps.

3) If you are drawing full 30 amps, then 30 amp breaker is getting hot. Breaker trips with heat. Older breakers can trip more easily.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-circuit-breaker.html

4) Before calling service technician, open following link for Bosch troubleshooting steps.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Troubleshoot-Bosch-Tankless-water-heater.html

5) Be sure to read manual for yearly maintenance requirements.

6) Add a tempering tank for incoming cold water problem.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Tempering-tank.html

7) All gas tankless brands can be repaired by homeowner for $330.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html

Check the breaker and top thermostat and make sure they are not tripped. Move onto replacing elements if above is not the problem.
Turn water and power off to heater and attach a water hose to bottom of heater to drain down tank. May have to open hot side on a facuet to get it to drain.
Once drained remove elements with 1 1/2" found at local hardware stores. once elements removed and new ones in place. Turn water on and get the air out of the system. Once water is flowing from the hot side from all of facuet's in house.
Once all air is out now yaou are resady to turn power onto heater.

Hi,
This sounds like a bad electrical connection internally in the heater...
With a heater of this age, I would replace it...

heatman101

Thermostat may be tripped out or breaker tripped that would be the first few thing's to check. If they check out maybe the element's are in need of replacement.
The clue with element's is one will go and the other will follow. The top element goes you would get luke warm water till the bottom goes out. The bottom goes out first you will get a blast of very hot water till the top element goes out.

Check out this link for further information on water heater trouble shooting.

http://www.water-heater-repair-guide.com/electricwaterheatertroubleshooting.html

1) Shut the breaker off to it at the panel. 2) Hook a hose up to it (the bottom has a drain). 3) Close the valve to the water heater (on the cold water supply). 4) Open drain on the bottom of water heater. 5) Open the relief valve to allow air into the tank (it won't drain otherwise - think if you put your finger on one end of a straw - the liquid stays in until you let go). Why are you draining it by the way?