I am replacing a burned upper thermostat to my water heater. How do I replace the wire leading to the thermostat?
Before you replace the wire test it to see if it is damaged. First shut the breaker off to the water heater. Next separate the power cable from the water heater wire. The water heater's power wire usually runs to the thermostat. Remove it from the terminal screw. With a continuity tester touch a lead to each end of the black wire which should show continuity. Next with one lead on the wire touch the other to the metal tank and outer shell. You should not see continuity (which is good).
If you do need to replace a wire: with the power still off, tape the new wire around one end of the old wire securely and slowly pull the other end of the old wire until the new one reaches where it will go. Use he old wire as a lead to pull new.