Electric water heater tripping

550Doug · Aug 26, 2018

My Rheem water heater has started tripping the breaker about once a day. I've swapped out a suspect bottom heating element but that hasn't made a difference as it is still tripping. I replaced the top element a few months ago so I'm wondering if there might be another issue besides the elements. Any ideas?
Thanks

Bob Harvey · Aug 26, 2018

Oh Man, I thought it had gotten into the 'Bud' ! ;^)

IaGary · Aug 26, 2018

Shorted thermostat??

old · Aug 26, 2018

Been having a problem just like that and maybe worse. I have yet to figure it out. I think it maybe the breaker getting weak or a sticking thermostat so it heats to hot and does not shut off like it should

Steve@Advance · Aug 26, 2018

Check the breaker.

Could be a weak breaker, bad connection where the wire connects, or bad connection where the breaker connects to the buss bars.

Also check the connections where the wires connect to the water heater, and where the wire comes from the wall. Look for melted insulation, discolored wire nuts, corrosion.

550Doug · Aug 26, 2018

Can the thermostat be replaced?

IaGary · Aug 26, 2018

Yes, on most models the thermostat can be replaced.

Russ from MN · Aug 26, 2018

If it gets too hot it should just blow the relief valve, it should never use more current. If the thermostat should malfunction and allow both elements to be energized at the same time that would trip the breaker.

Janicholson · Aug 26, 2018

If the lower element Tstat allows both to come on at the same time it can trip the breaker. Jim

DoubleO7 · Aug 26, 2018

Unless it is some oddball brand, most breakers are cheap.
Just replace it or swap it for an existing breaker of same size and type within the panel.
They do weaken over time.

But do check downstream as well for any other possibilities mentioned also.

Bob · Aug 26, 2018

(quoted from post at 21:10:21 08/26/18) If the lower element Tstat allows both to come on at the same time it can trip the breaker. Jim

Jim, in most common water heaters it's the TOP thermostat that switches power to the lower element when the water in the upper part of the tank gets up to temp.

Lower t-stat is typically a simple two-terminal device.

Bob · Aug 26, 2018

(quoted from post at 18:48:10 08/26/18) My Rheem water heater has started tripping the breaker about once a day. I've swapped out a suspect bottom heating element but that hasn't made a difference as it is still tripping. I replaced the top element a few months ago so I'm wondering if there might be another issue besides the elements. Any ideas?
Thanks

Doug, start by (be safe) ralphing down the screws where the wires to the waterheater connect to the two-pole circuit breaker that feeds it. Look for signs of heat discoloration there, as well as heat damage to the insulation on the wires that connect there.

If all is well there and it still trips, beg, borrow, buy or steal a clamp-on AC Ammeter and observe the current draw vs. what the nameplate says.

NO use to throw a lot of $$$ parts at it without knowing if the wh is drawing too much current, or the circuit breaker is tripping prematurely.

Mike(NEOhio) · Aug 26, 2018

The way they're wired one side of both elements is hot at all times. The thermostats are between the two elements and switch back and forth as needed. I've had an element shorted to the grounded tank so it actually ran on 120v and could not shut off. The tank overheated until the high limit shut it down. Happened more that once.

MarkB_MI · Aug 27, 2018

Did you replace the elements with the same wattage as were originally in the unit? (Note that if you don't know the history of your heater, it's possible someone installed smaller elements than what's marked on the heater.) 5500 watt elements are typical for 240V/30A heaters.

newhollandnut · Aug 27, 2018

I?d almost bet 100% it?s a weak breaker. My dryer breaker was
kicking out a few months ago at random times while the dryer
was running. Replaced the breaker hasn?t tripped once yet

buickanddeere · Aug 27, 2018

. Use an ohm meter and search for shorts like to like or line to chassis .
Use an ammeter and measure the running current .
Why keep randomly throwing parts at it instead of troubleshooting first ?

DoubleO7 · Aug 27, 2018

(quoted from post at 07:13:44 08/27/18) 5500 watt elements are typical for 240V/30A heaters.

ohm's law says sumptin ain't right here.

docmirror · Aug 27, 2018

Mine did that for a few days. I heard it trip once, and went to the panel quickly and the 100A water heater breaker was pretty warm to touch. I replaced the breaker and that solved it all. The breakers go bad too.

550Doug · Aug 27, 2018

Update:

I checked the breaker and found a discolored white wire, so I decided to replace the 40 year old breaker. The new breaker seems to work ok, however, I did flip it off , then on again and I see that when I flip the new breaker off I get an electrical flash near the black wire on this new breaker. I don't think that should happen. Is it possible that there is a problem with the panel itself?

docmirror · Aug 27, 2018

(quoted from post at 11:29:58 08/27/18) Update:

I checked the breaker and found a discolored white wire, so I decided to replace the 40 year old breaker. The new breaker seems to work ok, however, I did flip it off , then on again and I see that when I flip the new breaker off I get an electrical flash near the black wire on this new breaker. I don't think that should happen. Is it possible that there is a problem with the panel itself?

Ok, if you see a 'flash' anywhere in the panel this is what we call 'a bad thing'.

Terminals get loose after a while. I've seen electricians go in and SHUT OFF THE MAIN, then check it's shut off, and use a screwdriver to go through all the terminal posts and tighten them down. Many of the terminal posts take 1/3 turn to snug after many years. Again TURN OFF THE MAIN before doing this. You can also snug the terminals on the breakers at the same time, after you TURN OFF THE MAIN breaker, and check for no voltage across white to black to green inside the box.

Electric water heater tripping

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Similar threads