The circuit breaker on the hot water heater trips occasionally without any provocation. Why??
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Answers:
First make sure nothing else is on that circuit and only the water heater elements make up the load. Sometimes, other stuff is tied onto the 220 and its split to 110 and used in other places in the house. Eliminate that possibile cause first.
The elements probably have had a decrease in resistance and one of them is about to burn out This is not an extraordinary thing that is happening to you it happens quite often.
Then, rather than spend big bucks on hiring an electrician to troubleshoot, go to Lowes and buy the two or three elements and install them yourself if you have any kind of electrical ability This isnt rocket science by a long shot. Those cost about $18 each.
Could be several things. The circuit breaker is there for a reason - safety. It's telling you there's a problem that needs attending to. Could be a short in wiring, a leak, anything. You need to have an electrician look at it. Water heaters have been known to explode. Don't take any chances.
I would say that it's one of the elements and it needs replaced. It's generally the lower element that goes bad first. I would say its most likely grounding itself through the water and therefore causing the breaker to trip. When the lower element goes out, your left with about 5-7 minutes of hot water.
Breakers trip because of overcurrent. Could be a weak breaker.
Alan P's reply came to mind when I read the question.
now i think i have almost heard it all!! it trips because it DID have provocation!! there is something causing it to trip!! that is called provocking!! you probably have a bad temperature regulator or thermostat! the heater keeps running drawing excessive lectricity whcih over heats the circuit breaker and 'poof' provocation has tripped, stumbled fallen and can't get up!!!
if everything else checks out OK then don't overlook the possibility of termites or cockroaches shorting it out
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