To avoid confusion over debits and credits, avoid thinking of them in the way that they are used in everyday language, which often refers to a credit as increasing an account and a debit as decreasing an account. For example, if our bank credits our checking account, money is added to it and the balance increases.
One way to reduce the frequency of this occurrence is to maintain an air pocket at the top of the water heater tank. This air pocket will form in the tank by design - however, it will be reduced over time by the everyday use of your water heater. To replenish this air pocket: Turn off the water heater.
One of the common calls that our plumbers get is an electric water heater that has turned off due to a circuit breaker tripping. There can be several reasons that water heaters will cause a breaker to trip. The most common is due to an electrical short either inside the water heater core wiring or inside one of the heating elements.