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Message
Water heater has tripped breaker twice now
Posted on 12/17/20 at 9:17 pm
Posted on 12/17/20 at 9:17 pm
House and water heater are about two years old, noticed the water was lukewarm the other day and checked the breaker and it was tripped.
I reset it and its been about a week now and it tripped again.
Any idea on what would cause this?
Its an electric 50 gallon tank.
I reset it and its been about a week now and it tripped again.
Any idea on what would cause this?
Its an electric 50 gallon tank.
6
Posted on 12/17/20 at 11:08 pm to SidewalkTiger
Bad thermostat(s) most often, then bad heating element(s), then sometimes a bad breaker. Fairly easy to diagnose with a good clamp DVOM but you'll need more details as to the model or setup of your water heater.
Posted on 12/17/20 at 11:16 pm to Clames
Appreciate it 
I live in an area with very hard water so sediment build up and bad elements are pretty common but I didn't know if that'd trip the breaker.
I live in an area with very hard water so sediment build up and bad elements are pretty common but I didn't know if that'd trip the breaker.
Posted on 12/18/20 at 3:18 pm to SidewalkTiger
I bet the breaker is bad instead of actually having a problem with the water heater
Posted on 12/18/20 at 5:50 pm to SidewalkTiger
quote:
I live in an area with very hard water so sediment build up and bad elements are pretty common but I didn't know if that'd trip the breaker.
Bad elements usually don't unless shorted. Bad thermostats often do because they can allow both elements to run simultaneously.
Posted on 12/18/20 at 9:45 pm to SidewalkTiger
My thermostat on mine kept tripping. Replaced the thermostat and it still kept tripping. Replaced the lower heating element and then it tripped the breaker. Had to replace the breaker and everything is fine now. I also have really hard water and the heating element was caked in sediment.
Posted on 12/19/20 at 11:53 am to SidewalkTiger
Pull the lower element and inspect it.
Posted on 12/21/20 at 11:31 am to SidewalkTiger
I would think the breaker is bad or loose. Check the screws that hold the wire to the breaker. If the breaker has gotten hot & cold repeatedly, the screw might work loose and it'll lead to it tripping. Happened to me.
Posted on 12/21/20 at 2:39 pm to slacker130
I'm going to switch out my dryer and water heater breakers and see what happens. Seems to be the easiest method of troubleshooting.
Posted on 12/21/20 at 8:50 pm to ItzMe1972
Check the bus connection when you pull the breaker. Note any discoloration on it or the breaker prongs
Posted on 12/22/20 at 8:09 am to Wraytex
Start with the simple solution and make sure you don’t have any loose connections.
Posted on 12/24/20 at 8:24 pm to SidewalkTiger
My gas 50 gallon went lukewarm, but didn't trip. I flushed it, twice, then ran it. Runs perfect now. Had been maybe 4 years since installing it.
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