BigB:
I haven't a clue how the bottom element got wiped out as well... I thought some heaters had a "quick recovery" feature in them where they had a high wattage top element, and a lower wattage bottom element, and would energize BOTH elements when a "cold" tank was sensed by the upper thermostat?? Possibly the top element got hot enough before it fizzled to fool its thermostat and kick on the bottom element and fizzle that one as well???
Now I am wondering about those elements because they were both showing infinate resistance.. Hmmm
A.D