Any electrician's here?
Can you tell me why my water heater keeps tripping the breaker?
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has it always happened? if not it's probably a problem with the water heater that it's making the line over load and tripping the breaker
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Originally Posted by miataspeed2005
(Post 516115)
has it always happened? if not it's probably a problem with the water heater that it's making the line over load and tripping the breaker
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anything else on the circuit? I'd stick a clamp-on amp meter on that breaker feed and see what it's drawing. Could be a worn out breaker or could be a faulty water heater. The amp meter will tell you.
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Originally Posted by thymer
(Post 516119)
anything else on the circuit? I'd stick a clamp-on amp meter on that breaker feed and see what it's drawing. Could be a worn out breaker or could be a faulty water heater. The amp meter will tell you.
Nope, nothing else on it. Where would I clamp the amp meter to, the breaker itself? __________________ Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote |
we had a bad breaker, similar issue, instead of it measuring and being activated at overload over 15 amps, it would activate lower as it gets old so when i turn on my microwave it would pop it once in a while, then few months after it started becoming more common to where we couldnt use the microwave as you'd turn it on and it would pop a sec later. Changed it with a new one and havent had issues since, i'd say start cheap.
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Could be a heater element has corroded and is leaking current to ground (will trip GFCI type breakers). Unplug the leads to the elements and check element to ground resistance - old school analog meters are the best for this... Check all conductors (wires) to make sure nothing is chafed, rubbed, arc marks, soot, & terminations are tight - and be sure the power is off and confirm before starting the job!
If everthing else checks out, (3rd thymer & triple88a's thoughts) probably just the breaker is flaking out...sh*t happens. I had a 200a main breaker tripping without anything going on with the small distribution breakers - it was old (and the most expensive!). I would lean toward the weak breaker since the problem is intermittent (a ground fault should not be...) |
Originally Posted by secretsquirrel
(Post 516155)
Could be the heater element has corroded and is leaking current to ground (will trip GFCI type breakers). Unplug the leads to the element and check element to ground resistance - old school analog meters are the best for this (of course after turning off breaker and confirming there is no voltage!). Or maybe just the breaker is flaking out...sh*t happens. I had a 200a main breaker tripping without anything going on with the small distribution breakers - it was old (and the most expensive!).
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The easy check would be to replace the breaker ($10-$15?). If it still happens I would buy two new elements and replace them (not sure what that costs). 95% chance that you will be good to go after that.
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If an element/s is bad, sears.com has a great parts site with exploded diagrams, part #'s etc. (for all kinds of appliances). Once you get the part number, google is your friend (read - super cheap). I did find a water heater element in stock at the local hardware store (Lowes, HomoDepot, Sears Service Ctr - don't remember) when I needed one NOW for the mother-in-law. GL
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Originally Posted by rmcelwee
(Post 516166)
The easy check would be to replace the breaker ($10-$15?). If it still happens I would buy two new elements and replace them (not sure what that costs). 95% chance that you will be good to go after that.
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and if you're going to drain the water heater, check your dip tube and anode rod and change your drain valve for a nice ball valve.
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Originally Posted by levnubhin
(Post 516123)
Nope, nothing else on it. Where would I clamp the amp meter to, the breaker itself?
Doesn't matter where in the circuit amperage is the same. Easiet would be where the wire comes off the breaker. Breakers are set to trip at 80-85% there rating. If the new breaker trips,call a plumber. |
Leave it off, your from Florida you don't need it.
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Originally Posted by Eadohcturbo
(Post 516202)
Clamp around the hot wire.
Easiest place depends on your specific layout. You can pull the cover off the breaker panel, you can open the wiring cover at the heater, there may be an easily accessible J-box, etc. |
Thanks fellas, I'll work on it this weekend and update ya'll.
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Originally Posted by levnubhin
(Post 516864)
Thanks fellas, I'll work on it this weekend and update ya'll.
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1 Attachment(s)
Good new fellas, I replaced the elements and it's good to go. The old ones were really nasty and over kill according to the dude at the local plumbing store. The old ones were 5500 watts at 240 volts. So I went with 4500 watt.
Attachment 200626 __________________ Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote |
FYI, I typed that and attached the pic from my iPhone. I love this thing. That's all lol.
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How did you attached it from from your iPhone? Photobucket?
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Originally Posted by miataspeed2005
(Post 519440)
How did you attached it from from your iPhone? Photobucket?
Yup, I took the pic with my phone uploaded it Photobucket via the ap, then copied and pasted the img tag. All from a fucking cell phone. __________________ Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote |
Originally Posted by miataspeed2005
(Post 519440)
How did you attached it from from your iPhone? Photobucket?
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