GFCI on hot tub tripping

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hochwire

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Electrical Project Manager
I have been asked to assist in troubleshooting and 220v 50 amp GFCI on a hot tub(been in service about 4 yrs), I guess it has started tripping and the breaker has been replaced once. Same problem!! Can anyone give me some direction on troubleshooting this??

[ October 08, 2004, 09:36 AM: Message edited by: hochwire ]
 
Re: GFCI on hot tub tripping

Originally posted by hochwire:
I have been asked to assist in troubleshooting and 220v 50 amp GFCI on a hot tub(been in service about 4 yrs), I guess it has started tripping and the breaker has been replaced once. Same problem!! Can anyone some me direction on troubleshooting this??
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I would start by determining if the thing is tripping on SC, overload, or GF. That will tell you where to go from that point.
 
Re: GFCI on hot tub tripping

hochwire-

Need more info. When does it trip? Is there a heating element? Process of elimination.

STEVE
 
Re: GFCI on hot tub tripping

Since replacing the breaker didn?t work, and since the branch circuit conductors should be protected within a raceway, odds are that the problem lies within the vendor?s equipment. I would start by getting a copy of any manual that the vendor offers.
 
Re: GFCI on hot tub tripping

Went to check the hot tub out runs about 15 minutes initially, then breaker trips - amps run about 30 to 31 with everything turned on. the breaker is getting warm to the touch, after a few resets and monitoring of unit the breaker is almost to hot to touch. 50 amp GFCI breaker with #8 thhn conductors. may try #6 thhn to help dissipate some of the heat. what do you think?? I don,t think it is tripping on GFI because of how hot the breaker is getting
 
Re: GFCI on hot tub tripping

I did cut the ends off of load side conductors and re-strip and terminate, originally they did not have all of the strands in the lug.
 
Re: GFCI on hot tub tripping

Originally posted by hochwire:
Went to check the hot tub out runs about 15 minutes initially, then breaker trips - amps run about 30 to 31 with everything turned on. the breaker is getting warm to the touch, after a few resets and monitoring of unit the breaker is almost to hot to touch. 50 amp GFCI breaker with #8 thhn conductors. may try #6 thhn to help dissipate some of the heat. what do you think?? I don,t think it is tripping on GFI because of how hot the breaker is getting
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are the conductors warm as well?

is an outside heat source warming up the CB? maybe a conduit that is adjacent to something warm bringing heat to the CB?

is it possible you are getting corrosion on the terminals or the power rail of the CB and thats where the heat is coming from?
 
Re: GFCI on hot tub tripping

Would first do as said re do connections.The heat is likely the problem.Other posibilities are a leaking heat element but that would likely trip the gfci part of the breaker.Feel the motor for excessive heat(they do run hot).See if the disconnect has corrosion on its bus bars or the breaker itself.
 
Re: GFCI on hot tub tripping

There was a recall on some older ITE 2-pole GFCI breakers. There was a bad connection in them that caused the breaker to heat up and trip. check to see if it is an ITE.
 
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