How to Repair Tripped Water Heater Circuit Breaker

Dealing with a tripped circuit breaker for your water heater can be extremely inconvenient, especially if it happens over a weekend or when you need hot water the most. However, with some basic troubleshooting and safety precautions, you may be able to get your hot water running again without calling an electrician.

Common Causes of Water Heater Breaker Tripping

There are several reasons why your water heater breaker keeps tripping instead of properly resetting when switched back on:

• Faulty heating element - If the heating elements that heat the water are cracked or worn out, they can short circuit and trip the breaker.
• Bad thermostat or limit switch - Defective temperature regulation components can lead to overheating issues that trip the breaker.
• Electrical shortage - Any shorts in the internal wiring of the water heater due to heat damage or loose connections can lead to the breaker tripping.
• Undersized breaker - If your unit has been upgraded to a larger water heater, the existing breaker may be undersized and trip due to the extra load.
• Loose wire connections - Loose wiring in the breaker panel or within your water heating unit can also cause nuisance tripping of the circuit.

Troubleshooting Water Heater Breaker Won't Reset

Before attempting to troubleshoot a tripped water heater breaker, make sure to unplug the unit or switch off the main breaker panel. Working with live electrical connections is extremely dangerous.

Here are some steps to troubleshoot the tripped breaker:

1. Check if the circuit breaker has clearly tripped by switching it OFF and then ON. If it trips back to OFF, there is likely an underlying issue.
2. Unplug all other appliances on the shared circuit and try resetting the breaker just for the water heater load.
3. Check the reset buttons or auto resetting limit switches near the thermostat. These could have been tripped due to overheating.
4. Inspect the upper and lower heating elements in the water heater for cracks that may have caused electrical shorts.
5. Examine all wiring connections from the breaker to the water heating unit contacts for any loose or burnt wires.
6. Test continuity across both heating elements using a multimeter. Replace if defective.

Getting Professional Assistance

If you have conducted all the above steps carefully but are still unable to reset the tripped breaker, it likely requires replacing. Consult with a licensed electrician before attempting any further complex electrical repairs.

How to Safely Reset Tripped Water Heater Breaker

Once you have identified and fixed the root cause of the electrical shortage or tripped safety mechanisms, you can undertake the steps below to safely reset the breaker.

1. Switch OFF the main breaker or unplug all connections to the water heating unit.
2. Examine the circuit breaker switch and reset button for any signs of damage before attempting a reset.
3. Firmly flip the tripped breaker switch to OFF and then back ON to conduct a proper reset.
4. If the reset button is popped out, press it in securely to reset the safety mechanism.
5. Restore power connections to the water heater and verify it is functioning adequately on resetting the breaker.

Safety Checks Post Breaker Reset

• Check that the heating indicators or control panel show the unit powering back on safely without any issues or errors.
• Examine for leaks, odd smells, or smoke that may indicate further electrical or mechanical problems after the reset.
• Run hot water to check if the storage tank is heating effectively without any temperature issues.
• Verify the reset breaker does not nuisance trip when the heating elements activate after 20-30 minutes.

Ways to Prevent Water Heater Breaker From Tripping

To stop your water heater circuit from tripping frequently, consider these upgrade tips:

• Install a higher amp breaker designed for modern water heater loads if undersized.
• Check and tighten all electrical connections to wires providing power to heating elements.
• Replace old or defective heating elements causing electrical shorts.
• Upgrade to a high-quality circuit breaker less prone to nuisance tripping.
• Fix any leaking plumbing pipes that may be causing internal electrical shorts.

Conduct Preventative Maintenance

Carry out periodic water heater maintenance checks on heating elements, thermostats, wiring and breakers to prevent future tripping issues.

What to Do if Water Heater Breaker Keeps Tripping

If you have undertaken all the above steps and your newly reset water heater breaker trips again instantly or within an hour, the unit likely has severe underlying issues that require professional repairs, including:

• Electrical short circuit within internal wiring.
• Defective heating element unable to regulate safe temperatures.
• Malfunctioning thermostats unable to limit temperature spikes.
• Compromised insulation leading to exposed live wiring.

Attempting to rectify such complex electrical issues within your hot water system as a DIY project can be extremely dangerous. It is best to disconnect the unit and call a licensed electrician immediately.

Dangers of DIY Electrical Repairs at the Breaker Box

Although troubleshooting basic problems like tripped breakers or blown fuses seems straightforward as a DIY homeowner project, there are severe risks involved when working with your main electrical panel:

• Electrocution - Exposed live wires and contacts within the breaker box can easily cause electrocution or death with just a small miscalculated touch.
• Fire - Attempting electrical repairs without proper know-how can result in loose connections or electrical shorts leading to fires.
• Added expenses - If your DIY troubleshooting attempts cause further damage, professional repair costs to replace wiring or breakers will be even higher.

Use Extreme Caution

Always exercise maximum care when dealing with any electrical wiring connections within your home's breaker panel.

When to Call a Professional Electrician

To avoid safety hazards from DIY electrical repairs, ensure you call certified electricians in these scenarios:

• The breaker box itself is very old and needs replacing.
• Recurring tripped breaker issues for your water heater load.
• Noticeable damage is present to internal breaker panel wiring.
• You don't fully understand how to safely reset tripped breakers.
• Upgrades are needed to support a newer, larger water heating unit.

Hiring professional help is especially crucial if you live in an older home requiring electrical re-wiring for modern safety standards.

Ultimately, subject matter expertise is required when dealing with the high electrical voltages flowing into your home's breaker panel. Rather than risk safety, trust a certified local electrician for reliable repairs.