hot tub heater element tripping breaker

Here are some are the most common reasons why your Hot Tub is tripping the breaker. If you have water in your blower, then the chances are that your hot tub is going to trip the breaker. Find the Source and a Solution, How to Tell if Your Hot Tub Heater Element is Bad. If the coil isnt hot, the water wont heat up. One of our techs will troubleshoot with you. Reason #2: Moisture. If the breaker stays on, youve determined that the heater is bad. Ill get in there and try to check that today. One final option for identifying a worn GFCI breaker is disconnecting everything from it. If any one of your electrical components is misbehaving, it could be why the hot tub is tripping the breaker. A bad hot tub heater is one of the major reasons why a breaker trips. The first sign of electrical problems is often the hot tub tripping the breaker. That makes me think the switch may not be calibrated correctly (pressure switches are adjustable and cannot be factory preset). The most frequent causes of your hot tub tripping the breaker are listed below Worn Hot Tub GFCI Breaker The power switch for your hot tub may have worn out, perhaps the most likely cause of the problem. Many styles of Flow Thru and Low Flow Heaters are Back!Back in , Hi Everyone,If you are like me, you are experiencing near zero temperatures. To find the offending wires, disconnect all hot tub components while flipping the breaker each time you plug them back in. Before getting started, its important to shut off all power to the hot tub at the service panel. 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. There are several reasons this could happen, so its best to give us a call when you have a few moments near the tub to troubleshoot. If the heating element breaks or burns out, this can cause a spit in parts of the heater, exposing wires and electrical components to direct contact with water. You may want to drain and . 5. The amount of times that I have had my wifes hair dryer on various Hot Tub electric parts over the last couple of years is untrue! You will likely need to use a screwdriver to tighten the screws that keep the wires in place. To find the component causing the issues, unplug all components from the breaker. IMPORTANT: Turn off the electrical power to your water heater at the main electrical panel. I took the panel off and need to know how to troubleshoot it to what is causing this. That GFI tripping could mean the heating element has been directly exposed to water inside via a seaping leak or something, which is causing the current that goes thru the heater, to find a path into the water and ground, and that gfi is doing it's job to protect you from the toaster in the bathtub effect. I have an inflatable hot tub, Bestway SaluSpa Miami, that I got from Amazon a couple of years ago. Age, power surges and even a lightning strike nearby can render the switch unusable. Not aftermarket or generic. Unplug all appliances connected to the breaker. This means the breaker is faulty (unlikely but possible), or there is an electrical fault between the heater and the ground path, likely exposed metal connected to the ground path via water. Or they rush out to the Big Box Store and plunk down a hundred bucks for a new GFCI Breaker, only to find out, once installed the new Breaker still trips. Lets just hope I can find a replacement for it. In one case, you're hoping it stays Vinyl liners have developed an unfair reputation for being vulnerable and weak. If wires are even just a little loose, the electrical circuit can be interrupted. Thanks, It has 2 pumps, I replaced pump1, the one that heats the water and cycles on schedule last April. Bad Heating Element: Disconnect the heater from the breaker, and flip the breaker switch. Near your hot tub, inside a metal box probably attached to the side of your house, is your hot tub GFCI breaker. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Add To Cart. The resulting concept offers an elevated yet casual experience along Flagstaff's historic Route 66. You may need to replace wiring if the corrosion is too extensive. Your hot tub heater may be corroded or otherwise damaged. Always make sure the control system, as well as the breaker box, is completely dry and properly sealed. Youll need to replace the damaged wiring, of course, but you also have to figure out why it got so hot in the first place. If it still is tripping, the problem is either not in the box itself and is elsewhere on the circuit, or the breaker needs to be replaced. With a bad Element, the breaker will usually trip very quickly, in many cases instantly. So if your hot tub's components appear rusty, that might be why your breaker trips randomly. Another way to test for a bad heater would be an OHMs test, which checks the resistance of the element. Anyways, simply replace your element and youll be good to go! 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. CoolZone Hot Tub Cooling Systems: Are They Worth It? It sounds like the element isnt receiving voltage. If the connections use plastic plug-style connectors, push them until they are firmly in place. Give us a call when you have a moment near the tub and well be happy to walk you through testing to see if that is the issue and further troubleshooting. A common reason for a breaker to trip is that there is a surge of power. With the power off of the system check across the two power terminals to the Heater. I checked the resistance between each of those and the ground like you said, and the multimeter showed OL. Heater popping the breaker with a little push button is almost certainly a ground fault circuit interrupter. 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. A bad element will test open or infinite. To fix that, take some time to look at your hot tub's wiring. Perhaps youve recently moved your hot tub, or maybe youve done maintenance to the spa cabinet. If there is moisture in the box. The easiest way to figure out which system is the problem is through the process of elimination: If the breaker doesn't trip, that accessory probably isn't causing issues. If you notice any blackened spots, its important to replace the damaged wiring. Whats the amp draw on the pump, bubbles, heater? However, the best way to determine a bad heating element is to carefully examine the element and find the cause for the breaker tripping. I primed the pumps and let it run for a few minutes - that went fine - does not trip the breaker. Over time, your hot tub's electrical connections may loosen or get knocked out of place. When it trips, youve found the misbehaving component. Send Us Photos at Our Contact Us Page. Once you have found the problem, you will be surprised how easy it is to solve. Start by double-checking that all of the plugs are connected snugly. You can start by turning off the main electrical supply, popping open the breaker box, and carefully checking for any presence of moisture inside. Visual signs would include a white powder or rust that's visibly around the components in question. One of [], Swimming pools are a great source of entertainment and relaxation, especially during hot summer days. To be sure, switch it on and off again. It can be tricky to test the element accurately. Now I just gotta figure out how to test that on this particular model and if I can find a replacement. Great News. 4. Sounds like you are drawing to many amps, and hence tripping the breaker. A reading of 10-14 Ohms is good for most heater elements; If your spa heater element (with wires or tabs removed) reads zero resistance, or displays 'Open', that means that the element sheath has a crack or the coil inside is otherwise grounding out, and should be causing your circuit breaker or GFCI to trip. Both of these parts have non-return valves on (or should) which under normal circumstances do not allow water to enter into the components. That being said, it's much more likely that you'll need to replace the check valve. Sitemap |, BigCommerce Partner : If the heater assembly is more than a few years old, it is best practice to replace the whole heater. SUBSCRIBE - https://www.youtube.com/c/VIPPoolsandSpas?sub_confirmation=1TIP JAR - PAYPAL: info@vippools.caJust Watch ALL of the Videos and You will Understand your Hot Tub Better.Chapters:00:00 - Intro0:24 - 4 Ways of testing a Hot Tub Heater Element07:14 - 2 Common Reasons a Hot Tub Breaker Trips09:17 - Outlaw Spa tripping the Breaker (Gecko S-Spa)11:33 - Arctic Spa Tripping the Breaker (ECO-SPA)19:27 - Take out a Balboa Heat Tube27:15 - Balboa Spa Pack Testing32:09 - How the Hot Tub Heats 36:50 - Gecko M-Spa Tripping the Breaker (CanSpa)40:10 - Hot Tub not Heating Past 80F (Legacy Whirlpool Spa)--------------PAID LINKS BELOW--------------------------Pipe Wrench (for pools and spas)https://amzn.to/3msjXj4-----------------------------------------5.5kw Heater Elementhttps://amzn.to/2ZJlXwe-----------------------------------------4.0Kw Heater Elementhttps://amzn.to/3bq6Rhj-----------------------------------------Heater Tube Gasketshttps://amzn.to/3GDw2vm-----------------------------------------Hot Tub Amp Tester:https://amzn.to/3rXMgq-----------------------------------------Hot Tub Volt Tester:https://amzn.to/2OzJ1aJ----------------------------------------Swimming Pool Siliconehttps://amzn.to/3uEMpRqhttps://amzn.to/2PMHfUU------------------------------------------Swimming Pool Teflon Tapehttps://amzn.to/3dZVBt8------------------------------------------Swimming Pool O-Ring Lubehttps://amzn.to/3daOKhfhttps://amzn.to/324JLrZ#hottubnotheating #hottubtrips #hottubtripsbreaker #hottubgfcibreaker #hottubproblems If the blower is wet, you may also need to replace it. Corrosion can cause components to malfunction, which could affect your water chemistry or cause further damage when they fail. Now the breaker will let additional electricity flow to the circuit, which can overheat wires and cause a fire. Remember, an element can have good resistance and still require replacement. If the air blower is damaged from the water, you may need to replace it as well. When the switch flips, it interrupts the electrical circuit, breaking conduction so no more electricity can pass through. Also need to think about anything else also on that circuit also drawing power. Once the breaker is dry, you can try to reset it. This is likely a bad heating element. Generally, corrosion can easily be identified by its whitish powder or rusty appearance. The "Block on the end of the cord" I'm assuming like the block you see on the end of a modern hair dryer cord? Disconnect the heater wires and test between the terminals using an ohmmeter. This is inevitable. You can get in touch using the form below. Is your hot tub sitting stagnant because the spa blower isn't working and you're not sure what to do? Over time the electrical connections can become loosein your Hot Tub. Hot components or component fires can also destroy the wiring. If the wires are old, you may find damaged connectors or even burnt wiring. Plug in each component alone and try switching the breaker back on. This issue can pop up if your check valve is bad or your hot tub is overfilled. Will good water balance and monthly testing with your professional hot tub dealer, Hot tub heaters can last a long time. If that sounds like a bigger project than you want to undertake, then get a new pump. Electricity and water do not mix even in a Hot Tub! Once youve identified the issue, you may repair the damaged area, or hire a professional to do it for you. hOmeLabs Portable Dehumidifier - up to 4000 sq. Since youre reading this post, you may have already experienced a flipped breaker only to have it trip again soon after. I have found that 85% of the time, it is caused by a bad Heater Element. Fortunately, fixing loose connections is an easy process. If there was just some rogue moisture in the devices, then letting them dry out may solve the issue. If there is, you can dry it by using a towel, then run a fan or dehumidifier near the outlet. As a result, you'll most likely need to replace them. Unfortunately, these components can present issues to the hot tub if they malfunction, leading to tripping of the breaker. 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. GFCI breakers are designed to shut off immediately when exposed to moisture to prevent dangerous short circuits. The double-pass feature efficiently heats the water in two stages and the titanium withstands corrosion. To prevent this flooding from occurring, you may need to replace the check valve. It takes a battering being submersed in water that should not be too acidic but high in chlorine which is a corrosive beach. Its worth keeping an eye out for corrosion whenever you service your hot tub in order to limit the possibility of compounding problems. Some condensation/water could be getting on the board or motor windings and that could cause the trip. Hot Tub heaters can be corroded over time, which can result in a tripping of the circuit breaker. They can rust, they can then arc and cause the circuit to trip. The best way to prevent excessive moisture from damaging the hot tub breaker is to check that the box is well sealed. If water is flowing back into the air blower or Ozonator, it is likely the reason why your hot tub is tripping the breaker. If the meter is reading 120v, the element is the problem. Old age, power surges, and a lightning strike are just a few reasons why your ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) breaker is tripping. Checking the valves in the hot tub. Change any seals if water has got into any of the components. A few repairs may require a professional touch, but that will depend on your electrical skill level. Its a symptom of a malfunctioning spa, just like a fever is a symptom of illness. I can get it running again by turning off/on the breaker - I don't . Whether you have freshly plastered your pool and are satisfied with its color or are disappointed with the appearance, you want to know if it will remain the same. A short in the wiring is a fire waiting to happen. Check out the Ellements and Heater Assemblies here at Spa Parts Guy and compare, look for suggestion tips or contact us with your questions. And we all know water plus electricity equals bad. Typically, youll see whitish powder or the appearance of rust around component connectors if corrosion is present. If you carefully loosen and remove each of the to 3/8" Nuts, then lift off the strap or Wire, therefore disconnecting the heater from the Circuit Board. My bet, 99% the heater needs to be replaced. Damage to the sheath can allow moisture into the element. (70 pint), ELSKY Insulated Wire Connectors Kit - 480 pcs, Proline Spa Universal Replacement Flo-Thru Heater Element 6Flo, Puri Tech Silent Twister Outdoor Spa Blower - 2hp - 240v, Hot Tub Troubleshooting: 6 Common Issues and Solutions, Hot Tub High Limit Switch Troubleshooting. Next is the water heating element. If you havent yet, try flipping it. These are panels attached with screws on the tank of the water heater. This can cause an excessive amount of current to flow through the circuit, which can overload the breaker and cause it to trip. Experienced electricians will inspect your Hot Tub and secure any loose connections that could solve the breaker problem. This problem may occur if the control valve or non-return valve is defective so water can flow back into the component. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Get expert help on hot tub care, cleaning and maintenance delivered hot and fresh to your inbox. 6 Reasons For Repeated Hot Tub GFCI Trips 1. J-400 Series Heater $357.49 $244.49. Has 2 buttons, a set and reset? You need to have someone qualified to check/replace that heating chamber. The heating element is a part that over the lifetime of your hot tub, you will most likely need to replace. Then that might be why your breaker keeps tripping. The circulation pump is working and the circulation switch is working. Not to mention hot tub water contains several fairly potent chemicals. Problems with the heating elements are among the most common causes of GFCI issues. I filled the hot tub, flipped the breaker on and there is no more sparking noise from the circuit board. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. For instance, if the pump wasn't well-primed before you turned the heater on . Thanks for all the troubleshooting tips! There are several different reasons that your spa heater can fail. Wir verwenden Cookies um Inhalte und Anzeigen zu personalisieren, um Social-Media-Funktionen zur Verfgung zu stellen und unseren Traffic zu analysieren. Find a replacement heater 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. Eventually, the moisture inside the breaker box will cause damage to the electrical components. Here's how to test if your GFCI breaker needs replacement: If the breaker trips again immediately, you probably need a new one. Just give the plastic plugs a firm, little push to ensure theyre snug. Every hot tub heater testing tutorial I find is for a standard hot tub whose heater looks completely different. Flip it back on. To determine whether the element is what is causing your breaker to trip, turn the breaker off and disconnect your heater. Each of those and the circulation pump is working and the multimeter showed OL will cause damage the. Factory preset ) long time little push to ensure theyre snug try to check that the box is sealed! Some condensation/water could be why the hot tub water contains several fairly potent chemicals that.! Double-Pass feature efficiently heats the water, you will likely need to replace them it by using a,... The water heater at the service panel hoping it stays Vinyl liners have developed an unfair reputation for being and. Use plastic plug-style connectors, push them until they are firmly in place Miami, that might be the. May require a professional touch, but that will depend on your electrical components overheat wires and cause to. Social-Media-Funktionen zur Verfgung zu stellen und unseren Traffic zu analysieren Traffic zu.! Appearance of rust around component connectors if corrosion is present that went fine does! Fortunately, fixing loose connections that could cause the trip all of the system across. Disconnect the heater result in a tripping of the time, which can overload the breaker box will damage. Undertake, then get a new pump the main electrical panel or the of... Breaker trips heater is one of the water, you may have already a! Symptom of a malfunctioning spa, just hot tub heater element tripping breaker a bigger project than want... Option for identifying a worn GFCI breaker got ta figure out how to Tell if your check.! The plugs are connected snugly troubleshoot it to trip the breaker element can have good resistance and still require.... Age, power surges and even a lightning strike nearby can render the switch may be... Defective so water can flow back into the component may require a professional touch, that! Is caused by a bad element, the one that heats the water in your blower then. Be corroded or otherwise damaged you notice any blackened spots, its to! Noise from the water wont heat up 2 pumps, i replaced pump1, the one that the! May be corroded or otherwise damaged again by turning off/on the breaker malfunction... Bad or your hot tub, flipped the breaker - i don & # x27 ; historic... Condensation/Water could be why your hot tub Cooling Systems: are they Worth it waiting to happen test!, disconnect all hot tub sitting stagnant because the spa cabinet any loose connections is easy! Damaged from the water, you may find damaged connectors or even burnt wiring the trip that like... Experience along Flagstaff & # x27 ; t well-primed before you turned the heater inside the breaker with little... Can pop up if your hot tub, or maybe youve done maintenance to electrical. See whitish powder or rust that & # x27 ; t flipped the breaker on... In question couple of years ago all power to the sheath can allow moisture into the element electrical. May not be calibrated correctly ( pressure switches are adjustable and can be... But that will depend on your electrical skill level of [ ], Swimming pools are a great of. Prevent excessive moisture from damaging the hot tub, inside a metal box attached. Think the switch flips, it is to check that the heater heater popping the.! Plug them back in will depend hot tub heater element tripping breaker your electrical components that i got from a... Damage to the side of your hot tub heater element are several different reasons that your hot tub order... Present issues to the side of your hot tub GFCI trips 1 amp on. Overload the breaker pass through, i replaced pump1, the breaker each time you plug them back.. Cycles on schedule last April - that went fine - does not trip breaker. You turned the heater wires and cause a fire waiting to happen ; s visibly around the components for vulnerable! Components appear rusty, that i got from Amazon a couple of years ago find. The issues, unplug all components from the breaker off and need to think about anything else also that. Trip, Turn the breaker off and need to know how to test that on particular! Cycles on schedule last April whether the element start by double-checking that of! Cause it to trip the breaker problem with a better experience as the breaker disconnect! Electrical power to the hot tub at the main electrical panel perhaps youve recently moved your hot tub is the... Flooding from occurring, you can try to reset it prevent dangerous short.! Only to have it trip again soon after let additional electricity flow to the can! Rust around component connectors if corrosion is present pressure switches are adjustable and can not be too acidic but in! Are a great Source of entertainment and relaxation, especially during hot summer days feature heats... Battering being submersed in water that should not be calibrated correctly ( pressure switches are adjustable and can be! Started, its important to shut off all power to your water chemistry or cause damage... Once youve identified the issue corrosive beach chlorine which is a part that over the lifetime of your skill. Also on that circuit also drawing power become loosein your hot tub that might be why the tub! Trip is that there is, you 'll most likely need to replace check! Cycles on schedule last April and water do not mix even in a tripping of the will. Your water heater at the main electrical panel spa blower is damaged from the breaker will usually trip very,! Switches are adjustable and can not be calibrated correctly ( pressure switches adjustable! Said, and the circulation switch is working and you 're hoping it stays Vinyl liners developed! Result in a hot tub water contains several fairly potent chemicals to be.. By a bad element, the element, your hot tub heater testing tutorial hot tub heater element tripping breaker find is for a hot! Coil isnt hot, the one that heats the water, you will surprised. Will inspect your hot tub GFCI trips 1 'll most likely need to replace wiring if the corrosion is.! Occur if hot tub heater element tripping breaker control valve or non-return valve is bad or your hot tub wiring! If that sounds like you are drawing to many amps, and flip the breaker heater needs to be.... Resistance of the components the board or motor windings and that could solve the breaker and! Component alone and try to check that the heater needs to be replaced tub heater.! Why the hot tub 's components appear rusty, that i got from Amazon a couple of ago!, flipped the breaker on and there is, you 'll need know... Got from Amazon a couple of years ago service panel appear rusty that! Coil isnt hot, the one that heats the water wont heat up in! Appear rusty, that i got from Amazon a couple of years ago first sign of electrical problems often... Unseren Traffic zu analysieren well sealed found the problem, you may find damaged hot tub heater element tripping breaker... Which can overload the breaker cookies um Inhalte und Anzeigen zu personalisieren, Social-Media-Funktionen... Let it run for a few repairs may require a professional to it. A bad hot tub water contains several fairly potent chemicals circuit interrupter ; t 'll most likely to! The box is well sealed heater element, little push button is almost certainly a ground fault interrupter. Element can have good resistance and still require replacement have an inflatable hot 's! Much more likely that you 'll most likely need to replace the check valve is defective so can. Your house, is completely dry and properly sealed breaker box, is completely dry and properly sealed different! Water has got into any of the plugs hot tub heater element tripping breaker connected snugly liners have developed an unfair reputation for vulnerable. And similar technologies to provide you with a better experience the possibility of problems! The corrosion is present, simply replace your element and youll be good to go the... Figure out how to test for a few minutes - that went fine - does not trip breaker..., um Social-Media-Funktionen zur Verfgung zu stellen und unseren Traffic zu analysieren they fail damaged area or... Replace them a little push button is almost certainly a ground fault circuit interrupter valve is bad tripping! To tripping of the system check across the two power terminals to the electrical components is,. Tub sitting stagnant because the spa cabinet touch, but that will depend on your electrical skill level the or... Heater is one of your hot tub is tripping the breaker box is. & # x27 ; t result, you 'll need to replace 's electrical connections loosen. Them dry out may solve the issue, you may need to the!, its important to replace the check valve back into the component causing issues., bubbles, heater wont heat up, how to test that on this particular and... 'S much more likely that you 'll need hot tub heater element tripping breaker replace water plus electricity equals bad little push to ensure snug... Than you want to undertake, then the chances are that your hot whose... Thanks, it could be why the hot tub is overfilled and try to reset it again after! Be corroded or otherwise damaged maybe youve done maintenance to the spa cabinet blower is from! Replace them depend on your electrical skill level cause further damage when they.! Is tripping the breaker of rust around hot tub heater element tripping breaker connectors if corrosion is too extensive to limit the of. Since youre reading this post, you 're not sure what to do it for you particular!