My circuit breaker always trips off leading to shutting off the household electrical supply whenever I turn on my water heater in the common bathroom...is it because that the heater has a leak and causing the water to "squirt" inside the heater during showering causing the short cicuit or totally the water heater is broken and really really needs to be replaced? thanks...
2006-11-07 02:48:24 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
When you begin to draw hot water from the tank the temperature drops and kicks the thermostat to heat the water.
Unless you see a puddle under/around the unit, I'd say it isn't leaking.
Anyhow, the heating element draws a considerable amount of current and if it is faulty in some way, it'll usually trip the breaker it's attached to but, not the whole house.
If the water heater isn't on a breaker by itself, it needs to be (code I think) but, if it's not, you need to isolate it.
If it IS by itself then there's something wrong with it. It's pulling too much current not only for the breaker it's on but, it's causing such a large current draw, that it's tripping the whole house.
It's probably shorted and will have to be replaced.
I'm not sure of the process but, some DIY'ers can do it depending on the level of difficulty (whether it's an easy slip out, slip in type thing or whether it involves dissassembly of half of the unit) is up to you. I'd recommend a pro.
BOL.
2006-11-07 05:18:46 · answer #1 · answered by WHY? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Has this always happened? You may have the wrong amperage breaker...usually you will find the amp value on the end of the breaker switch toggle. Check the amp draw on the legend plate that is affixed to your heater, then check your breaker. Your breaker should be valued higher than the full amp draw on your heater. Also, you could have a short in the pilot control box. If you are not familiar with working on electrical problems, I would recommend that you get a professional to look at it. Good luck!
2006-11-07 14:08:57 · answer #2 · answered by boots 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
better to have it trip then sending you to a trip you never come back from. get it fixed asap don't mix water and electricty. or you will be in for a shocking experince next
2006-11-07 11:03:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋