My water heater pump keeps tripping the main electric panel...?

Question

Hi all, I went on vacation and forgot to turn my water heaters to vacation! When I returned the water was cold coming through the faucet. After some investigation I realised the water heater pump had tripped the trip switch on the main electric panel. I reset it and thought all would be fine. Now it is OK for a day or two and then it trips the electric panel again. Any Ideas on what is the matter and how I might fix it? The water heaters themselves are fine and are burning all OK. Many Thanks!

My water heaters are only 3 years old and I just replaced the elements in both 3 months ago as they both went at the same time???? The water heaters are working fine, as the pilot is lite and they are burning ok but the water pump seems to be what is tripping the electric panel?

Answer 1

sounds like you have dual gas waterheaters, and the recirculating pump isn't doing what it shoudl be?
if somehow, there is a short in the electronics of the pump, it would cause the electrical panel to trip.
Still sounds like an electrician would be your first best bet, since it's not strictly a plumbing issue, but also electrical problem.

Those pumps are designed to run with about 65 to 150watts power, which would NEVER cause the breaker to trip.
If the breaker is weak, or there is an electrical problem that caused the breaker to weaken, an electrician will still be the better bet than even just having the pump replaced or calling in a plumber.

Answer 2

Your problem could be in the breaker itself. It is possible the breaker is bad and needs replaced. Usually if a heating element burns out it will not tripp the breaker. If an element has burned out you can still use the water heater but your water will not be as hot and will not last as long when running the hot water because it is only heating at 110 instead of 220. If you have knowledge about electricity and have a tester, you can test the elements to see if they are working or not. Make sure you have the breaker to the heater shut off before you try testing the elements. Take the two wires off the element and with the tester check and see if shows any resistance on the test meter. If it shows resistance the element is most likely ok. Check the second element the same way. If you find one with no resistance on the tester then that element could be the problem. Not always, but most of the time the lower element will be the one burned out. Your description doesn't sound like a thermostat problem. New elements are not expensive and you can get them at your local hardware stores, Lowe's or Home Depot stores. If you want to change them out yourself, you will need to drain the water heater to remove the elements. You will also need a wrench (socket) to take the elements out because they screw into the water heater. Take the old elements with you when you go to get new ones so you make sure to get the right elements. To put the new elements in just reverse the procedure. Always make sure before you do anything to shut the breaker off to the water heater. If the new elements does not correct the problem the breaker would be the next thing to look at.

Answer 3

It does sound, by coincidence, that your elements, or one of them, are going out. Have an electrician check them out. How many do you have?
One heater, two elements. How old is the heater, if over ten years, get a new one. A lot cheaper then replacing the elements. Go to Home Depot and have them do the whole job.

Answer 4

It sounds like the element in your water heater is going bad.

Answer 5

CALL A DA.NED ELECTRICIAN---WHATCHA WANT ??? FREE,BUT BAD, ADVICE WHICH IF FOLLOWED,COULD RESULT IN AN ELECTRIAL FIRE WHICH COULD ENDANGER NOT ONLY YOUR 'WORLDLY POSSESSIONS', BUT, THE LIVES OF OTHERS---INCLUDING THE POSSIBILITY OF YOUR OWN, AS WELL AS OTHER "LOVED ONES"---

Answer 6

Your elements are on the way to god.