hot tub heater element tripping breaker

While its inconvenient when the GFCI trips, remember its there to protect you. To test if a bad heater is causing your tripped breaker, you can disconnect the copper tabs (or wires) from the spa pack to the heater element. Most heating failure result from corrosion caused by low PH in water supply. Nope, ended up selling it as is. If the heater assembly is more than a few years old, it is best practice to replace the whole heater. One final option for identifying a worn GFCI breaker is disconnecting everything from it. I can get it running again by turning off/on the breaker - I don't . And of course, if any connectors are broken or damaged, youll need to replace them. Thanks for the help. This is likely a bad heating element. If the heater element is getting service voltage to it and the water isnt heating up, you have a bad heater element. If the breaker is encountering water and moisture often, you may need to replace the receptacle. It may be located on the heater and covered by a rubber nipple. If youre unsure what to look for when identifying a tripped breaker, have no worries! This breaker is functioning as intended. Dry it out, replace the seal and try again. It it is tripping as soon as power is turned on, then it is probably not the heating element since the board has a delay before energizing the heater. Electricity is danger! Loose Connectors: When you have work done on your spa, its moved around, or it just gets old, wiring connectors can come loose. Nothing too [], USA - 160 W. Camino Real Unit #745 Boca Raton, FL 33432 | +1 352 765 9389 | UK - Buttmead, Blisworth, NN7 3DQ +44 748 007 1155, Considering a saltwater hot tub? You can end up with water in your blower if your check valves have failed and you dont have Hartford loops in your air lines. Email us a photo. Good luck to you though. Also check all connections to ensure theyre snug. If the light is on or the indicator icon is moving, the hot tub should be heating. If unsure which components are causing the short circuit, unplug them and one by one plug them back in. A wet motor will trip the gfci without damaging the fuse. Switch the breaker back on and turn on your tub. Step 3 Turn on your spa and observe its operation. If this essential part of your hot tub shows signs of damage or corrosion it is time to replace the heating element. 4 Ways of Testing a Hot Tub Heater ElementIn this video, I'm going to show you how to test a hot tub heater element in 4 ways. Then its likely your hot tub is tripping the breaker. My bet, 99% the heater needs to be replaced. You can find more information about your heater label by visiting our Heater Replacement page. Posted by If youre not comfortable working with electricity, hire a pro to make the repairs. If you havent yet, try flipping it. Once you find the malfunctioning component, you will need to identify the issue. What type of Spa Construction should I choose? To identify loose or damaged wiring, look inside the breaker box and spa cabinet for any breaks or worn areas of the component wiring. And Im somewhat handy, like I dont know a whole bunch about this stuff, but Im not afraid of taking things apart and following a YouTube video tutorial. To find the offending wires, disconnect all hot tub components while flipping the breaker each time you plug them back in. That being said, it's much more likely that you'll need to replace the check valve. We are happy to help you. Old wiring can overheat. Switch your breaker off. So if your hot tub's components appear rusty, that might be why your breaker trips randomly. Sitemap |, BigCommerce Partner : If so that is a GFIC, intended to protect you from a shock near water (very important thing to have with electrics and hot tub full of water mixing). (And I dont have a lot of hair left to be pulling out!). I have replaced my heater element and filled the tub flipped the switch and I have no heat, water is flowing through but the element is not getting hot. Alternatively, you may see plastic, plugstyle connectors slipped out of place. If this essential part of your hot tub shows signs of damage or corrosion it is time to replace the heating element. Do this systematically though, if it trips leave it in and move to the next one. Water and electrics certainly do not mix. Now I just gotta figure out how to test that on this particular model and if I can find a replacement. Wires can accidentally touch each other in this manner if youve moved your spa, done work inside the cabinet, or if you have a pest.You can narrow down the offending wires by disconnecting each spa component one at a time. Is the wiring bad? If your hot tub has suddenly quit working, it is likely a sign that the circuit breaker tripped. If the meter is reading 120v, the element is the problem. Get exclusive tips on how to make the most of your hot tub. Start by double-checking that all of the plugs are connected snugly. And if not kept properly balanced, they may deteriorate plastic and metal parts. You just have to know what to look for and where to look for it. I have a 60 amp Cutler Hammer GFCI that is tripping intermittently. Cable connections, ground wires, panels, and areas where cables are visible should be carefully inspected for any kind of deposits. If there is, you can dry it by using a towel, then run a fan or dehumidifier near the outlet. Carefully examine the breaker box and cabinet for any damaged wiring. Balboa G7418 Heater Assembly 4KW, LE/Valve. Some kind of thermostat? What I would like you to do is isolate the heater and do an ohm test on it from the casing of the heater to every conductor. Or it might have trouble powering your spa, causing your heater or jets to stop working. Because burnt wiring can quickly create a fire, burnt wiring should be fixed as soon as possible. With a bad Element, the breaker will usually trip very quickly, in many cases instantly. Thanks for the help, after reading all of these comments, Im more confident now in my assumption that the heating element needs replaced. 800-823-3638. As a result, you'll most likely need to replace them. Because nothing is built to be serviced these days it's almost certainly hooped. 6 Reasons For Repeated Hot Tub GFCI Trips 1. Damage to the sheath can allow moisture into the element. Table Of Contents 1. Remove the water heater's access cover panel and insulation from the upper water heater element. If this is the case, you will likely need to replace the wires and connectors. Because breakers are designed to trip in the event of a short circuit, short circuits are a common reason for hot tubs to trip the breaker. Its a symptom of a malfunctioning spa, just like a fever is a symptom of illness. Most heaters can be removed and replaced separately from the Spa Pack. But my problem is that every YouTube video I find is for a standard hot tub, not one of these smaller soft tub units. I can turn it on and let it run for almost exactly 2 minutes, then trips the breaker (one next to tub, not main panel) - I think because the heater kicks in after 2 minutes? Im thinking it is in fact a broken heating element after reading all of these replies. it out there, but many spa heaters, including mine, have an "overheat breaker" for the heater coil, which trips if the heater element gets too hot. Heater popping the breaker with a little push button is almost certainly a ground fault circuit interrupter. And if that happens, your spa's breaker may begin to trip randomly. Even when you try to request the jet mode during this period, you may find out that nothing will come out of the jets but the motor's sounds. And of course if there are any connectors missing or broken, youll have to patch them. Unless you're the type that likes to make toast in the bathtub. Its quick and cheap to do. A ground fault occurs when electricity flows through the water and into the ground, rather than through the wiring. You may want to drain and . Tripping the breaker is a common issue with hot tubs and, fortunately, quite easy to solve. I took the panel off and need to know how to troubleshoot it to what is causing this. Check out the Ellements and Heater Assemblies here at Spa Parts Guy and compare, look for suggestion tips or contact us with your questions. Why is my Hot Tub tripping the breaker? Change any seals if water has got into any of the components. A common reason for a breaker to trip is that there is a surge of power. If there is a ground-fault with current imbalance of about ~ 5 mA or greater, the GFCI will trip which is detected by comparing the . And a high resistance. Happy hot tubbing! Inside your spa pack, you may need to use a screwdriver to tighten the screws keeping wires in place. Between working for over a dozen facilities and owning a pool, he carries over a decade of pool experience. Give just a quick, little push to the plastic plugs to make sure they are secure. Also need to think about anything else also on that circuit also drawing power. Why do I need a Hydrostatic Release Valve in my Swimming Pool? Even if the wires are barely loose, the electrical circuit may be interrupted, causing the breaker to trip. To be sure, you can repeat this test while only plugging in the water heater. You can start by turning off the main electrical supply, popping open the breaker box, and carefully checking for any presence of moisture inside. If the hot tub GFCI fails to trip when the heater isn't connected, you may need to replace the heating element. 375K views 6 years ago Click Link for Elements: https://hottubpartsofamerica.com/sear. Luckily, it's quite easy to work out whether your hot tub breaker is beyond repair. Check the control panel for heater light indicator and/or thermometer icon. What are some warning signs that my hot tub is starting to freeze? In that case, you may need to replace entire spa parts. Im getting ready to read the comments now, hopefully theres some answers(Im just glad I FINALLY found someone else w the same problem lolI see this is a year old, were you able to get it fixed? Quick test, you can actually unplug the heating element from the Spa Pack control box. My question is how can the heating element test good and still to the breaker? For instance, if the pump wasn't well-primed before you turned the heater on . The double-pass feature efficiently heats the water in two stages and the titanium withstands corrosion. There are a couple of ways to remedy this problem: Corrosion can wreak havoc on your spa's electrical system. There must be a problem with the Heater, which makes a contact between the Water (Earth) and the Current. If the breaker flips even after it appears dry, you may need more extensive troubleshooting. The blower, should be totally dry. Your Hot Tub Won't Heat Up Properly If your hot tub won't heat the water properly, it could be the heater element or low flow from your pump. Over time the electrical connections can become loosein your Hot Tub. If there is any damage to the wires, they will need replacing right away to prevent further damage. Wiring Short: When two wires touch but theyre not supposed to, a surge of power causes your breaker to trip. This problem may occur if the control valve or non-return valve is defective so water can flow back into the component. I submerged my blower once by mistake, not a good idea! A short circuit can occur if any electrical area is wet. Balboa Water Group. Maybe you can change the Heater. If the breaker stays on, youve determined that the heater is bad. To protect the Hot Tub control box from excessive moisture, make sure that the rubber seal is in tact and that the holes used for the cable in and out of the box are well sealed. link to Best Pool Chemicals for Vinyl Liners. The heating element is the part of your water heater that heats the . This is inevitable. With the spa on, test both of the leads on the element at the same time. Is your hot tub sitting stagnant because the spa blower isn't working and you're not sure what to do? All you need is a new blower and about half an hour. In fact the meter should read 'OL'. You may also have a towel warmer, a sound system or interior lighting in the Hot Tub. Is there anything else I could try? That makes me think the switch may not be calibrated correctly (pressure switches are adjustable and cannot be factory preset). This video is about The Spa Guy diagnosing a Breaker Tripping on a Hot Tub With Hydro-Quip Controls. It has 2 pumps, I replaced pump1, the one that heats the water and cycles on schedule last April. Warm up the unit using a space heater or a heat gun 4. Unplug only your hot tub heater. Moisture and water cannot be present across a circuit. Unfortunately, these components can present issues to the hot tub if they malfunction, leading to tripping of the breaker. Firstly check the heater element (maybe corroded through, pitting, etc) - Spa Heater Troubleshooting. To identify the issue, disconnect all power to the heating element. Here's how to test if your GFCI breaker needs replacement: If the breaker trips again immediately, you probably need a new one. Problems with the heating elements are among the most common causes of GFCI issues. If water is present, the circuit breaker will trip. There are many reasons your hot tub could be tripping the breaker, because even well-kept hot tubs and spas can develop small issues that will turn into bigger issues if left unattended. Fortunately for you, its easy to determine whether your breaker is toast. Another reason for a short circuit to occur is that the connections are loose. Jacuzzi Hot Tubs & Sundance Spas 240v Heater 6500-402 100% OEM Heater. When the time comes for a hot tub heater replacement the Aqua-Tech service team can keep you in hot water. The heating element might be pulling more Amps than it did when it was brand new. Click below for the one you want to watch. Does it immediately trip again? This will likely trip any breaker to prevent the damage done by the burst. You may consider using an electric meter to test any power coming to the circuit breaker. Good luck, gfci trouble shooting can be a pain. As a comment only, not a full-on suggestion (I'd let the electrician chime in on safety/feasibility before taking action on this): If you can purchase a 2nd heat pump unit, you could set it to the side of the tub and either A) run the output from the built-in pump to the input of the add-on, or B) have the add-on pull from the tub and pump back into the tub (weigh down the 2 hoses, place them . A bad element will test open or infinite. 1-at the circuit breaker, 2-at the plug outlet or on the end of the cord (110 volt models, or 3- on the pack located near the heater chamber. These common hot tub problems are pretty easy to troubleshoot on your own. I filled the hot tub, flipped the breaker on and there is no more sparking noise from the circuit board. $289.99 $340.00. 800-823-3638. 73790 This 2015 No-Fault PDR (power down reset) Titanium Heater is the newest factory upgrade replacement heater from the makers of Hot Springs spas. Have Cracked Spa Manifolds From Winter Freeze ? Carefully remove it from the assembly housing and use a multimeter to test the resistance between the two terminals. But, turning the heat on trips it every time, about 3 seconds after turning it on. Moisture on the live or bridging the live and the neutral connections will cause the circuit to trip. Its a black plastic switch that automatically flips when it experiences an electrical surge. Are the power terminals the two little tabs on the near side of the heater? Your hot tub's wires may come in contact with one another over time, causing a spike in power throughout the circuit and may even burn the wiring. CoolZone Hot Tub Cooling Systems: Are They Worth It? Very low or very high readings indicate that something is not quite right and should probably be replaced. So I think I have the problem narrowed down a bit. Age, power surges and even a lightning strike nearby can render the switch unusable. If the meter shows open, or reads nothing, the element is bad. Now lets turn our attention to the accessories. If the breaker stays on and the spa starts up, you have confirmed the heater as the source of the problem. Burnt Wires: When dealing with electricity, a heat problem can become a fire problem in a blink. Near your hot tub, inside a metal box probably attached to the side of your house, is your hot tub GFCI breaker. Power Problems/GFCI Circuit Tripping. And they seem to be setup a little different Do they even sell individual parts for these like they do for a standard hot tub, if I were to find the issue? Experienced electricians will inspect your Hot Tub and secure any loose connections that could solve the breaker problem. In the order of a few ohms. I have found that 85% of the time, it is caused by a bad Heater Element. . 240V Spas With the spa on, test both of the leads on the element at the same time. Is it grounded improperly? You must also determine how the component is malfunctioning. 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