Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    HandyAndy69's Avatar
    HandyAndy69 Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Feb 1, 2011, 11:49 AM
    New hot water heater blows breaker?
    Brand new hot water heater installed and blew breaker in less than a week! Its only happened once so far but curious as to why it would blow it!
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #2

    Feb 1, 2011, 11:56 AM

    Short, overload or a bad breaker. Can you tell us the brand/model and also info about your breaker. What was the old heater doing when you decided to swap it out?
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #3

    Feb 1, 2011, 12:53 PM

    Is the new heater bigger? What wattage elements were in the old one? And the new one?
    What size wire feeds it and what size breaker?
    HandyAndy69's Avatar
    HandyAndy69 Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #4

    Feb 2, 2011, 06:12 AM
    Comment on ballengerb1's post
    Same hot water heater as old one, just new! I installed it for someone else, hooked it up exactly the same as it was. I'm assuming maybe the elements aren't coinciding and kicking it maybe! 30 amp breaker, wired direct.
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #5

    Feb 2, 2011, 06:59 AM

    Well, with a new unit you should have not had to go inside of it. The ONLY wiring you need to access is the main line in at the top. There is really no way to wire it wrong other than creating a direct short, which would trip immediately.

    Are you sure all the specs were the same? Wattage and voltage?
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
    Uber Member
    		  
    #6

    Feb 2, 2011, 07:27 AM

    An Amprobe would save a lot of time here.
    Like Stan is saying, only the connections at the top need to be dealt with.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

How do I wire the hot water heater to breaker [ 14 Answers ]

My husband is out of town and the electric hot water heater stopped functioning... the breaker at the main breaker box was tripping... I replaced the breaker at the main box... it still tripped... the hot water heater also has a breaker that connects to the main breaker box... I had to replace the...

Hot water heater circuit breaker [ 4 Answers ]

I have a State Select hot water heater and the circuit breaker keeps popping I can reset it and it works for about a day, any idea what may be causing the issue

Pilot light blows out on hot water heater (electric start) [ 8 Answers ]

I have a gas powered electric hot water heater with an electric push button start. Ever so often (more recently now even) the pilot has extinquished. I have to place the dial setting back to the pilot light position, and press the started button each morning to get it lit again, and then turn the...

Heater in home blows hot air but after 20 min. Before it reachs temp. Set it blows co [ 0 Answers ]

When I turn on my home heater located in attic(by thermostate) It blows heat but in 20 minutes blows cold air, went outside where air conditioner unit is and it is on, is that normal, does this operate the heater to, didn't know air conditoner did this, shall I call in repair guy

Hot water heater circuit breaker [ 11 Answers ]

I had the same problem with my state select water heater. After replacing both upper and lower elements I found that it was the upper thermostat. My problem is this: The new thermostat has a slightly different configuration than my old one. This is all Home Depot and Lowe's carried. My...

View more questions Search