8 Common Reasons Your Hot Tub is Tripping the Breaker
- Worn GFCI Breaker. One of the most common reasons for a hot tub breaker to trip is that it is simply worn out. ...
- Moisture Exposure to the Hot Tub Breaker. Another reason a hot tub breaker may be tripping is because of moisture in the breaker box. ...
- Damaged or Loose Wiring. ...
- Hot Tub Corrosion. ...
- Short Circuit. ...
- Malfunctioning Heating Element. ...
Full Answer
Why does my hot tub keep tripping my GFCI breaker?
Worn Hot Tub GFCI Breaker Probably the most obvious reason your hot tub is tripping the breaker is the thing simply wore out. Age, power surges, and even a nearby lightning strike can render your breaker useless. Fortunately for you, it’s easy to determine whether your breaker is toast.
Why does the breaker trip when I take a bath?
It could even be down to a bad heating element or a flooded blower. Although it’s irritating to have the breaker trip every time you hop in the tub, it’s important to remember that it does this to protect you from injury and to protect your household’s circuits from overloading.
What is the purpose of a hot tub circuit breaker?
In short (no pun intended), it prevents you from being electrocuted in your hot tub when someone has a few too many margaritas and accidentally knocks your stereo into the water. Sometimes the breaker flips for reasons that have nothing to do with your radio.
Why won’t my hot tub reset?
For Spa Service Technicians and Home Owners alike, one of the most common Hot Tub problems, is a GFCI Breaker that trips and will not reset. Many people make the mistake of calling their Electrician first and costing them a wasted service call fee.
Why is the breaker tripping on my hot tub?
Worn Hot Tub GFCI Breaker Perhaps the most likely explanation for your Hot Tub's power switch tripping is that it has simply worn out. Age, power surges and even a lightning strike nearby can render the switch unusable. Fortunately, you can tell immediately if the breaker is broken.
Why won't my hot tub breaker stay on?
If your GFCI constantly trips, one of the following issues might be the culprit: Your hot tub heater may be corroded or otherwise damaged. Problems with the heating elements are among the most common causes of GFCI issues.
Why is my breaker constantly tripping?
Circuit overload is one of the most common reasons for circuit breakers tripping, and you can prevent it from happening by running fewer appliances at the same time on that circuit. The best long-term solution, however, is to have an electrician update your home's wiring to add additional circuits.
Why does my lazy spa keep tripping out?
Possible causes of this may include: If the spa is plugged into an extension lead. If the grounding in the socket being used is incorrect. There is a problem with the electric set up in the house.
How do I reset my hot tub breaker?
0:263:56How to reset the GFCI breaker for your hot tub. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can turn it off two ways. You can hit that test button or you can come over here and physicallyMoreYou can turn it off two ways. You can hit that test button or you can come over here and physically just shut that off doesn't matter when you turn it back on. You just pull it the other way.
How do I reset my hot tub control panel?
1:112:01How to RESET your HOT TUB - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGo over to your breaker panel. And flip your breaker or breakers. Down there are some hot tubs thatMoreGo over to your breaker panel. And flip your breaker or breakers. Down there are some hot tubs that have two breakers. And some hot tubs that have one breaker. But you will go to your sub panel.
How do you find out what's tripping the electric?
Open the cover on the consumer unit to see which switches have tripped to the OFF position. Put them back to the ON position. If tripping occurs again, it is probably being caused by a faulty appliance. You need to identify which circuit is affected and which appliance on that circuit is causing the problem.
How do you fix a breaker trip?
InstructionsTurn off All Devices on Circuit. Turn off all devices on the electrical circuit. ... Find Electric Service Panel. ... Locate Tripped Breaker. ... Turn Circuit Breaker Handle to off Position. ... Turn Circuit Breaker Handle to on Position. ... Test Circuit.
Is it OK to leave a breaker tripped?
The circuit breaker off position doesn't harm the device. You can even keep it in that position for a year or more. However, every time you switch your circuit breaker, it does take a little bit of damage—that's why it's not recommended to turn the breaker on or off unnecessarily.
How long do hot tub Breakers last?
Old GFCI Breaker Ground fault circuit interrupter breakers are pretty sturdy, but they will eventually wear out, usually after 10-25 years. Lightning strikes or power surges can shorten their lifespan.
How long do hot tub heaters last?
Pumps & Heaters Most hot tub pumps and heaters will be able to last for a minimum of 7-10 years in well-maintained, well-balanced water. In poorly balanced water, however, their lifespan can be drastically reduced as key components break down.
What size breaker do I need for a hot tub?
50 to 60-amp breakerWhat Is The Required Breaker Size For A Hot Tub? A 50 to 60-amp breaker is the best choice for a hot tub. According to the National Electrical Code (NEC), an electrician must wire the spa into a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. This is also known as a GFCI and helps to prevent electrocution.
How do you check to see if a circuit breaker is bad?
Key Indicators to Tell if You Have a Bad Circuit BreakerBreaker Doesn't Stay in “Reset” Mode.Burning smell.Hot to the touch.Visible damage to the box or outlets.Breaker trips frequently.Old Age.
How many times can a breaker trip?
According to UL 489 regulations, the Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) or the typical circuit breaker in most homes and commercial electrical systems can last up to 10,000 operations. Hence, repeated tripping is unlikely to ruin such a device, at least not before long.
Why does my hot tub tripping the breaker?
If your hot tub is tripping the breaker, it may be because the hot tub’s components are corroded. Corrosion is a common issue with hot tubs that, without proper attention, may affect the water chemistry and create issues with the breaker box.
Why is my hot tub breaker short?
There are a number of reasons a wiring short may occur. Perhaps you’ve recently moved your hot tub, or maybe you’ve done maintenance to the spa cabinet. Pests can also cause damage to the wiring of the hot tub breaker.
Why is my hot tub flooded?
Oftentimes, the Ozonator or air blower may become flooded when the check valve is damaged or the hot tub is overfilled. To prevent this flooding from occurring, you may need to replace the check valve. If the air blower is damaged from the water, you may need to replace it as well. Additionally, always keep your hot tub at the proper level. If it is overfilled, you may need to drain the water to preventing flooding in the Ozonator or blower.
Why does my hot tub stop working?
If your hot tub has suddenly quit working, it is likely a sign that the circuit breaker tripped. Tripping the breaker is a common issue with hot tubs and, fortunately, quite easy to solve. If you’re unsure what to look for when identifying a tripped breaker, have no worries! Today, we’ll explain the 8 common reasons your hot tub is tripping the breaker and how to solve it.
How to fix moisture in hot tub?
For hot tub control boxes with moisture trapped inside, take a towel and dry the inside of the breaker box. From here, turn on a fan or dehumidifier near the breaker box. Once the control box is dry, reset the breaker. If this fails to solve the issue, it may be a sign that there is a problem in the circuit or that the breaker needs replacing.
How to prevent moisture from damaging hot tub breaker?
The best way to prevent excessive moisture from damaging the hot tub breaker is to check that the box is well sealed. It is especially important to have a rubber seal on the holes used for the cable.
Why do hot tub wires touch?
Oftentimes, two wires may be touching because the wires are damaged. Chewed wires by pests is a common issue with hot tub breakers. If this is the case, you will likely need to replace the wires and connectors.
Why does my hot tub breaker trip?
If the inside of the control box that houses your hot tub circuit breaker has moisture , this can cause the breaker to trip frequently. Moisture from condensation or rain can get inside these boxes. When this happens, the moisture can end up damaging electrical components inside the control box. You’ll need to have damaged parts replaced and ensure that the hot tub circuit breaker box is protected from additional moisture.
Why does my hot tub keep tripping?
Heater Corrosion or Damage. Hot tub heaters can become corroded or damaged, resulting in a circuit breaker that keeps tripping when you want to use your hot tub. You might be able to notice signs of damage or corrosion in this part of your hot tub.
What happens if you have a short in a hot tub?
Short circuits can occur in one of the electrical parts of your hot tub. These short circuits cause your circuit breaker to trip in order to lower the risk of electrocution. If you have a short circuit, the affected part might feel warm. Keep in mind that this is a serious hazard since short circuits can cause fires and electrical shock. You should have a professional electrician repair this problem as soon as possible and avoid using your hot tub in the meantime.
Why does my hot tub have a GFCI breaker?
Your hot tub should have a ground fault circuit interrupter, or GFCI, breaker. This breaker automatically cuts off power to your hot tub to prevent electrical shock. The GFCI circuit breaker kicks in when unusual changes in the amount of power flowing through the circuit occur. You might have trouble with the GFCI circuit breaker tripping often for a few reasons. These include:
Is it safe to leave a circuit breaker to the professionals?
No matter what the cause of your circuit breaker trouble is, it’s important to leave it to the professionals. Handling electrical issues on your own puts you at risk of having a serious injury or property damage. The professionals at Turn It On Electric can determine what is causing the circuit breaker to trip and correct the problem safely ...
Can a hot tub circuit breaker trip?
No matter what the cause of your circuit breaker trouble is , it’s important to leave it to the professionals.
Why does my hot tub make a breaker trip?
Sometimes, you may experience your hot tub breaker trips, especially after draining and refilling the water inside the tub. 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. This phenomenon is usually known as “airlock,” which means that there is too much air that has clogged your spa’s pump resulting in restricted water movement.
Why does my hot tub keep tripping the breaker, and how do I fix it?
Tripping of the hot tub may make you end up with the feeling of stress, especially if you have planned to use it for relaxation in your spare time. What may cause these? Below are the common reason why your breaker keeps tripping.
Why does the hot tub breaker keep tripping immediately after fixing?
You may have tried to power it off and then on after few minutes, but you observe the same thing; this may be particularly irritating, especially when you have gotten ready for a good soak in your spa. But then, why does your GFCI breaker consistently trip after fix whenever you put on your hot tub?
Why does my GFCI breaker keep tripping?
One of the most common causes for a tripping GFCI breaker is its part is worn out. Age, undoubtedly, affects the breaker as such that any little power surge or mere lightning may render the breaker useless. The worn-out hot tub is also a common cause for repeatedly tripping the GFCI breaker even after you might have fixed it.
How to tell if hot tub is corroded?
Check the components of the hot tub which are liable to corrode. You can check the GFCI breaker box and other places near it to see if you will find any sign of corrosion. Such signs include a rusty appearance around the connecting components or the appearance of a whitish powdered-like substance. Also, ensure that you look at the ground wires, control pane, and other wiring connectors.
What does GFCI breaker tripping mean?
The GFCI breaker tripping may even be telling you of an underlying problem with your hot tub. Such tripping, therefore, gives you the necessary head-on start on how to repair both the tripping issue and any underlying faults you might troubleshoot while trying to fix up your tub.
How to fix a hot tub breaker?
Fixing a breaker that keeps tripping might be as simple as checking or aerating your hot tub components to changing the damaged electrical components. Go ahead and open the breaker box to find out if there is any moisture, such as splashes of rainfall water or any form of wetness. If you find such wetness, you can dry it out using a fan or humidifier to blow out the moisture; you can use your towel to clean it first.
Check for These More Serious Issues
I encourage you to verify as soon as possible whether you are having any of these breaker-related problems. It’s not for nothing that they’re regarded as serious since plenty of them may result in fire and electrocution.
Conclusion
All in all, the best way to pinpoint the exact reason why your hot tub keeps tripping the breaker and, in turn, solve it, is to:
Why does my hot tub breaker keep tripping?
One of the main reasons that a hot tub breaker keeps tripping is that there is something going on that shouldn’t be inside the breaker box. If you open the box and shine a torch inside, you may find that there is excess moisture in there. Water that has splashed out of the tub, heavy rain, or flooding could have caused sufficient dampness to cause the hot tub’s GFCI to flip.
Why does my hot tub keep turning off?
So, why does my hot tub keep tripping and turning off? The problem could be due to a worn GFCI breaker, moisture or corrosion inside the breaker box, damaged or loose wiring, or malfunctioning components. It could even be down to a bad heating element or a flooded blower.
Why does my hot tub tip?
If neither of these causes are at the heart of your hot tub tipping, it could be a flooded air blower that’s causing the problem. If water is flowing back into your air blower, this could be causing the breaker to trip. The issue can be troubleshooted by disconnecting the air blower from the breaker then flipping it. It’s likely that this issue has occurred because the check valve is bad or because you have overfilled your hot tub.
Why is my GFCI breaker tripping?
Even if the wires are just slightly loose it could cause interruptions in the electric circuit and this could cause the GFCI breaker to trip.
What to do if a tub is tripping?
Unfortunately, identifying which component is guilty of tripping your tub is just the first step to rectifying the problem. You then need to work out how it’s malfunctioning and why. Could the wiring be bad? Has the component overheated? Perhaps it isn’t grounded correctly? Maybe the device has been completely destroyed? Since this is complex troubleshooting, you should use an electrician’s services to find out what’s causing the problem and to rectify it.
What happens if a hot tub is corroded?
Inside the hot tub corrosion causes malfunctioning of the components, and this could, in turn, affect the water’s chemistry, or even cause more damage once the components fail completely. For example, the filtration system could fail to function properly and result in unwanted contaminants getting into the water where they could cause health issues for you and any other bathers.
What is wrong with my breaker box?
Another problem you may encounter inside your breaker box is corrosion. Unfortunately, rust can build up virtually anywhere, so it’s always wise to check for corrosion when you carry out servicing and maintenance on your tub to prevent the problem from getting out of hand.
Why does my GFCI breaker trip?
The truth is 99% of the time when a GFCI Breaker trips, it is because it is working properly and is tripping due to a short somehwere in the Hot Tub's equipment.
Can a bad element cause a breaker to trip?
With a bad Element, the breaker will usually trip very quickly, in many cases instantly. After attempting to turn on the breaker a few times, with it tripping each time. You can eliminate the Heater as the cause or confirm it is the culprit, with just a few steps.
Why does my hot tub trip when I turn it on?
If any of them cause your GFCI to trip when you turn your hot tub on, the faulty component will most likely need to be serviced or replaced.
Why does my hot tub heater trip?
Your GFCI may trip at seemingly random intervals, either while you’re in the middle of a soak or when your hot tub is not in use. If your GFCI constantly trips, one of the following issues might be the culprit: 1 Your hot tub heater may be corroded or otherwise damaged. Problems with the heating elements are among the most common causes of GFCI issues. Inspect your heater for visible signs of damage, and try operating your hot tub with the heater disconnected to see if the GFCI problem reoccurs. 2 Your spa’s electrical contacts have become corroded. Inspect each contact and replace any that show signs of corrosion. 3 One or more electrical connections is loose. With the power to your spa disconnected, tug gently on each connection, then tighten and secure any that seem to be loose. 4 The control box containing your GFCI has been exposed to moisture, such as rainwater or condensation. If the inside of your control box is damp, locate the source of the moisture, protect your box from future water exposure, and allow it to thoroughly dry out before testing the GFCI. If water has damaged any electrical components, replace them. 5 There’s a short in one or more of your electric components. Run your spa for 15 minutes, then turn it off, unplug your tub, and inspect your components by hand. Electrical components that are shorting out will feel warm to the touch. Replace any components which grew warm during your test.
WHY DOES MY GFCI KEEP TRIPPING WHEN I TURN ON MY HOT TUB?
If your GFCI repeatedly trips whenever you turn on your hot tub, it means there’s an ongoing problem that must be addressed and resolved. There are a few reasons why your GFCI might trip each time you power up your hot tub:
WHY DOES MY GFCI TRIP AT RANDOM TIMES?
Your GFCI may trip at seemingly random intervals, either while you’re in the middle of a soak or when your hot tub is not in use . If your GFCI constantly trips, one of the following issues might be the culprit:
Why does my GFCI trip when I power up my hot tub?
There are a few reasons why your GFCI might trip each time you power up your hot tub: There may be an issue with your GFCI. Disconnect all hot tub components from your GFCI, then reset it . If it immediately trips even though nothing is attached to it , your GFCI is most likely faulty and will need to be replaced.
What does it mean when a GFCI circuit breaker trips?
A GFCI circuit breaker that trips constantly is at best a nuisance, and could be an indication of a potentially hazardous situation with your hot tub. Armed with a little knowledge, you should be able to diagnose the problem with your GFCI and find a way to fix it, either by repairing it yourself or by calling upon the knowledge and services of your hot tub dealer or a licensed electrician. A tripped GFCI can be frustrating, but it doesn’t have to get in the way of your enjoyment of your hot tub.
What does it mean when a GFCI is tripping?
When a GFCI detects an anomaly in the electrical supply, such as a ground fault or a short circuit, it interrupts the circuit and cuts off all electricity to your spa. When this interruption occurs, it’s often referred to as “tripping” the GFCI.
