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gary brooks · Feb 27, 2012, 06:45 PM

Why would my breaker for the hot water heater keep burning out. Replaced breaker, hot water heater kick on. Heated up the water. After washing the dishes and taking a shower no more hot water and the hot water heater don't kick on.

hkstroud · Feb 27, 2012, 08:03 PM

So what makes you think the breaker is burned out?
What do you mean by "burned out? Is the breaker physically damaged?

ballengerb1 · Feb 27, 2012, 08:58 PM

Harold is on track. When we talk about breakers the term" keep burning out" doesn't come up. Breakers pop or trip but seldom ever burn out. Gary, tell us more details about exactly what's happening at your home, we can help.

gary brooks · Feb 27, 2012, 09:30 PM

I have a old house (build in 1978)it use the zenco two pole 30 amp molded case types breaker.last summer this breaker burnt one of the poles where it snap into panel box.which is outside the house.last week the hot water heater stopped working. Checked the breaker and found it had burnt the left pole of the breaker off and left a burnt indention on the metal that it snap onto.

gary brooks · Feb 27, 2012, 10:14 PM

ballengerb1 I put the follow info in the question section. How do I reply to you

tkrussell · Feb 28, 2012, 03:55 AM

The jaws on the breaker that plug onto the tab in the panel is loose, and a large load such as a water heater will create heat at loose connection, and the melting begins. This damages both the panel and the breaker.

Zinsco breakers are not popular in New England, thou I have seen a few, so not much experience with them. I am not sure if parts are available.

May be best to have a local electrician come in and evaluate your panel.