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Author:
rayh78
Trips the panel box breaker about once every 5 days.
What should I check first since it does not happen all the time.
thanks
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Author:
dlh (TX)
a short in the wiring to the heater or a bad t-stat most likely
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PLUMBERS "Protecting The Health Of The Nation"
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Author:
RWP (SD)
First check that the wire is a # 10 gauge. Is the breaker amperage high enough to support the power draw for the heater? Then check the t-stats and elements.
How old is the circuit breaker? They do wear out and trip for no reason after some years of use.
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Retired after 50 years of plumbing and heating.
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Author:
Paul48 (CT)
And make sure it is on a dedicated circuit, and the panel is not overloaded.
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Author:
rayh78
Is #10 wire on a double 30. Its the Tan color Cutler Hammer breakers. Think about 30 years old.
Also just one side on the D30 breaker is tripping. Its a double 30, they are connected just not very good.
Water heater about 2 years old.
Edited 2 times.
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Author:
bernabeu (SC)
Quote:...they are connected just not very good.
1. replace the worn out breaker
2. check the actual amperage 'draw' from the heater
3. check each leg to ground at the heater (see if a 'short' exists)
4. check each heating element for ohms and shorts
good luck
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Measure twice, cut once.
Retired Plumbers Local Union #1
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Author:
hj
Call a plumber to test the entire heater, before you start changing things that are not broken and waste time and money.
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Author:
rayh78
My main concern is that it only happens once in a while so it would be hard to troubleshoot
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Author:
hj
Does you water get "super" hot before it trips the breaker. As long aa it happens fairly frequently, a good technician can probably diagnose it. The problem does not "go away" between events.
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Author:
Paul48 (CT)
Shut the breaker off, and check for a loose connection.
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