Welcome to Backyardplus! Is your GFI tripping? In this post, we show you how to troubleshoot a tripped GFI circuit breaker. When the GFI breaker trips, it is because of high amperage draw, a bad component, bad wiring, water in the conduit or a bad GFI breaker. Before we get started, let’s go over the tools you will need.
Tools you will need:
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Small flathead screwdriver
1. Extension Cords:
If your spa is running on 115 volts, make sure you are not using an extension cord. An extension cord will create low voltage which will increase amperage and cause the breaker to trip.
2. Dedicated Circuits:
Be sure your spa is on a dedicated circuit. If the spa is sharing a circuit with another appliance like a refrigerator or dishwasher, the amperage draw will be too much, and the breaker will trip.
3. A Bad Component:
A bad heater or pump will cause the breaker to trip. To troubleshoot a bad component, follow these steps.
a. Disconnect power from the spa.
b. Disconnect the component from the motherboard. Disconnect the black, white, green (and red wire if you have a two speed jet pump). In this post we are disconnecting the heater.
c. Turn on the breaker. If the breaker holds, it means the component you disconnected is bad and must be replaced. If the breaker trips, it means you need to move on to the next component.
The breaker held! We have a bad heater!
4. A Bad GFI Breaker:
To troubleshoot a bad GFI breaker, follow these steps.
a. Disconnect power from the spa.
b. Disconnect all the incoming power wires from the terminal block.
c. Turn the GFI breaker on. If the breaker trips, it’s because of one of three things: It’s a bad breaker, bad wiring, or there is water in the conduit.
d. The 20 amp breaker did not hold. We have either a bad breaker, bad wiring, or we have water in the conduit.
5. Bad Wiring or Water in the Conduit:
If the wiring going from the subpanel to the spa has been compromised, or if the conduit has filled with water, it will cause the breaker to trip. To troubleshoot, follow these steps.
a. Go to the main electrical panel and turn OFF the breaker feeding the subpanel.
b. Open up the subpanel and disconnect the wires going from the problematic GFI breaker to the spa.
c. Go to the main electrical panel and turn ON the breaker feeding the subpanel.
d. Turn ON the GFI breaker in the subpanel. If the breaker holds, it means you have bad wiring or water in the conduit. If the breaker trips, it means you have a bad GFI breaker.
The breaker did not trip! That means you have bad wiring going from the subpanel to the spa or you have water in the conduit going from the subpanel to the spa. Good job!
Watch the video here! GFI Tripping? How to Troubleshoot a Tripped GFI Breaker in a Hot Spring, Tiger River and Hot Spot Spa
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