Hot Water Electric ALWAYS hot?

[av2pilot]

I burned out my electric element this year for the usual reasons....had bypassed the water tank and forgot.....turned on the electric and there was no water! So, I went to replace it and turned off the HWH breaker at the box and tested the wires and the white wire was still 120??? I then threw the main breaker and I STILL had 120 on the white wire?? There obviously isn't any flow to ground unless the switch is on, but shouldn't the power be dead with the main breaker thrown???

[Jolu]

Your post just reminded me to flip my outside WH switch off. Burning out the element can be done easily with the way I forget things.
Joe

[av2pilot]

Would you mind testing your white lead to your element for me and see if yours is hot with the breaker thrown? You have to take the little cover off....its got 3 small phillips screws.

[camper4]

You are right. With either breaker off you should have no Ac volts. Something is wrong.