So the builders must have put the bracket on to prevent the water tank from being turned on before it was full. That's a dandy idea.
Done with the plumbing, filled the tank, took the bracket off and flipped the breaker on. Then not thinking, put the bracket back on again. Uff Duh!
My wife and I had a vacation place for several years. We would go up in the spring and "open the cabin". Then take an extra day off after Deer season was over to close it up for the winter.
We had a routine and each did our jobs in order. After several years of doing this, one time for some unknown reason, my wife went out to the garage and flipped the breaker for the water heater before I had the water turned back on. I had not signaled, and she had not asked. She had heard the pump running and assumed I had the water back on. Melted both heating elements. They were both bent down at a 90 where they entered the tank. Made for a long day that time. Lucky the hardware store carried both elements. Too bad it was a 25 mile trip one way, and I had to make two trips. Made for a long day to get that fixed and working. But hey, I got to buy a new tool I have never used again. Large socket for unscrewing the element. Still have it, all nice and shinny, in my tool box for working on pumps. And I was able to take a shower before going to bed.