Bradford White Heating Element Replacement

Bradford White M-I L6DS electric tanks use universal 4500W screw-in elements. Replacement is a 60-minute DIY at $30-$60.

Symptoms

• Upper element failed: no hot water at all
• Lower element failed: hot then quickly lukewarm
• Both: no hot water + breaker trips (rare)

Part numbers

Bradford White uses standard 4500W 1" NPT screw-in elements. Universal-compatible elements from Camco, Reliance, or Rheem-branded work fine.

Replacement procedure

1. Shut off power, verify with voltage meter
2. Shut off cold inlet, open hot faucet
3. Drain tank to below element location
4. Remove access panel, pull aside insulation
5. Disconnect element wires
6. Unscrew element with 1-1/2" element wrench
7. Install new element with fresh gasket, torque ~25 ft-lbs
8. Reconnect wires, refill tank, restore power AFTER tank is full

Common mistakes

• Powering up before refilling — destroys new element in seconds
• Reusing gasket — single-use; guarantees a slow leak
• Using regular socket instead of element wrench — rounds the hex

Bottom line

$50 parts + 60 min DIY. For full parts directory see parts hub.