Water Heater Trips Breaker,,, HELP!!,,,??

[CADplans]

I installed a water softener in my home 40 years ago, so I have not had a reason to replace heater heater elements,,

My daughter's home has a typical 2-element electric hot water heater, probably 4500 watt elements, 240 volt, ~50 gallon,,,
Yes, she has high calcium water, no water softener, the elements surely have buildup on them.

Anyways, both elements show resistance, so they are not burned out,, as far as electrically concerned.
BUT, I do hear the water heater "growling" when the heater has to heat water. (Calcium buildup, I assume)

I know the elements need replaced, I have the "LOW DENSITY WATTAGE" version elements to replace the ones in the water heater now.

My real question is,,, "Hmmmm, the circuit breaker will trip occasionally!!"

Would calcium buildup cause the circuit breaker to trip, ?? OR, would the tripped breaker be do to some other issue??

Thanks for the help.

I

 

[Roadworthy]

If a circuit breaker trips with no change in the load it should be replaced. When they get a few years on them they can trip for no reason. Never assume when you flip the handle the circuit is broken, either. ALWAYS check that the circuit is dead before working on it!!

 

[dirttoys]

I had one do that, I assume the growling is flash boiling, and there is air around the elements due to build up. I think air around a heating element raises the temp, and lowers the resistance causing over current and breaker to blow.

No harm in replacing the breaker, but, I think the new elements will fix it. Hard water, it is worth it to flush with vinegar every year.

Best,

ed

 

[CADplans]

If a circuit breaker trips with no change in the load it should be replaced.

What I was wondering is ,,
could the calcium buildup be causing the load to change?
or,,
Could the calcium buildup make the resistance of the water heater element drop as the element temp is higher than normal,,??

If the element is more conductive at a higher temp, that may cause the breaker to trip,, ??

 

[5030]

I was gonna say...You ever bother to flush the heaters at all? I flush mine monthly (have calcium) so it don't collect in the bottom and eventually cause a hole in the tank. Thermal breakers get weak over time (and trips), I'd replace them of I were you.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

It could be the thermostat control going out. Upper limit switch. I know Lowe's has kits for water heaters.

 

[LittleBill21]

i would pull the lower element, and see if the calicum is covering it from the bottom up, it prolly is, I would then clean the tank, and see if that cures the tripping issue.

 

[JJT]

How old is the water heater? If it's more than 12 years old, simply replace the unit. Otherwise give the new element a try.

 

[ultrarunner]

One of my parents friends electric furnace would trip the circuit breaker after about 20 minutes.

I was sent to check it out as the heating contractor said it was too old and gave a quote to replace which she could not afford so no heat.

Looking at it I found all the connections clean and secure and no signs of melting or discoloration.

I said I would like to try something and disconnected on it the 5 heat strips...

This was 40 years ago and she never had another problem and it cost nothing.

Could it be the element not sized correctly?

 

[ponytug]

Elements can short to ground intermittently, and having hard water deposits will definitely cause elements to burn out faster as the hard water deposit build up means that they run at higher temperatures (and are less efficient), but it also means that they corrode faster.

I'm with @JJT, that the most cost effective thing is probably to buy a new one. (And a water softener!) If not, I would pull the elements and replace them , and the anode while you are at it.

All the best,

Peter

 

[5030]

I won't use a softener. I get plenty enough sodium in my diet as it is. Most modern elements will shed calcium deposits as the heat up anyway, why it's important to flush the tank at least once a month. I will say you can repurpose an old heater for many uses. They make a dandy lawn roller or a BBQ.

 

[mrmikey]

anyways, both elements show resistance, so they are not burned out,, as far as electrically concerned

Not necessarily. The outer element sheath on mine had burst which allowed the actual element to break which allowed current to flow thru the water. I've only got a single element 20gal heater since it's only me. I noticed the water was only warm for a couple days so I investigated. Having hard water I naturally assumed the element had burnt out which it had, was a sad looking element for sure. The noise I could hear was the water boiling on the element ends. Wasn't drawing enough to trip the breaker I guess.............M

 

[jaxs]

The easy way is do as pros do (not plumbers ) test amp draw. If 30 amp breaker trips with 25 amp or less load,breaker is bad. Anything is possible but meters take the guesswork out. "IF" I saw a sudden rise in amps followed by breaker tripping,I would check upper t-stat to see if it disconnect's upper element before sending power to lower t-stat. Upper stat is master. Regardless of temperature at lower stat,if temp is below set point at upper stat it will disconnect lower stat until upper is satisfied. Any time upper stat is satisfied it supplys power to lower stat. Elements pull 18 to 20 amps each so 30a breaker can only support one at a time.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

If you don't need rapid recovery, consider dropping your element wattage. 3500 watt elements are easily available, and will drop a KW off the generator load. Don't forget to replace the sacrificial anode too. It will save the expense and trouble of replacing the water heater.

 

[jaxs]

If you don't need rapid recovery, consider dropping your element wattage. 3500 watt elements are easily available, and will drop a KW off the generator load. Don't forget to replace the sacrificial anode too. It will save the expense and trouble of replacing the water heater.

Is the water heater on a genny?

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Is the water heater on a genny?

Aren't all electric water heaters on a generator? They're not worth much in an outage if they aren't.

 

[diesel85]

If it makes you feel better, I didn't put my water heater on my genny.

Hot water is a luxury. Having clean water is a necessity.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

If it makes you feel better, I didn't put my water heater on my genny.

Hot water is a luxury. Having clean water is a necessity.

When we had a 5 day outage, my wife came down with the flu. Being able to take a hot shower was really important to her. There are different levels of necessity and luxury.

 

[ultrarunner]

Hot water as in bath or shower was truly a luxury for most of mankind...

That's why simply having the hot mineral baths of Europe were such a draw basically reserved for the 1%

One of my friends started having back problems and was taking prescription pills...

I asked have you ever just soaked for 20 minutes in a hot bath and he said have not had a bath since childhood...

He decided why not and said it made a world of difference...

Pills or a hot bath... I opt to try bath first...

 

[dirttoys]

I can run pump and water heater, but, no air or heat at the same time. Hot water necessity or luxury is probably a good debate, I guess I don't mind having it selectively.

Best,

ed