Have to replace GFCI every year

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Johnlm

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Eldon, Missouri
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Executive, Certified Electronic Technician. Taught digital circuitry at University level.
I have a hottub installed with a 50 amp GFCI breaker in a subpanel supplying only the hottub. We only use the hottub through the fall, winter and early spring. We drain and clean the tub every year and it sits idle through the spring, summer and early fall. Of couse, while the tub is not being used, the breaker panel is shut off. The problem I have is that every year, I have to replace the GFCI breaker in the subpanel. The new breaker will work fine, with no issues, the 4 months we are using the tub, but in the fall, when I fill and start the tub up again, the breaker will keep tripping before the tub can get up to temp. What do I need to do to keep the breaker from going bad every year?
 
Try keeping the hot tub filled year round, just decrease the temperature in the warmer months. This way you can keep up with weekly treatments, which is inexpensive for a 400 gallon hot tub. Keep the breaker on all the time. I bet it will last longer.
 
Rick, you're probably right. We were just trying to reduce our electrical usage as much as possible. We have solar panels and would like to be able to get our electric bill down to zero. Right now we only pay about $80 a month, compared to nearly $400 before we got the panels. I guess when I calculate in the $100 for a new breaker every year, it will probably almost equal out. I just think that a circuit breaker that is just sitting there, with no power to it, should last and not have to be replaced every year. Thank you for your response.
 
The electric usage for a hot tub is pretty low if the pumps circulate only. If the heaters are not on, the electric draw should be minimal.
 
Johnlm said:
Rick, you're probably right. We were just trying to reduce our electrical usage as much as possible. We have solar panels and would like to be able to get our electric bill down to zero. Right now we only pay about $80 a month, compared to nearly $400 before we got the panels. I guess when I calculate in the $100 for a new breaker every year, it will probably almost equal out. I just think that a circuit breaker that is just sitting there, with no power to it, should last and not have to be replaced every year. Thank you for your response.
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Is the breaker in an exterior panel or other possibly damp location?
 
Does the breaker trip right away, or after some period of time? If it give you some run time, I could see there being moisture in the system somewhere (tub controls, breaker panel, pumps or heaters) that may have evaporated by the time you change the GFCI for another one. You could also try opening the tub with a non-GFCI breaker to get things good and warm, and then put the GFCI back in and see if it holds.
 
Johnlm said:
Rick, you're probably right. We were just trying to reduce our electrical usage as much as possible. We have solar panels and would like to be able to get our electric bill down to zero. Right now we only pay about $80 a month, compared to nearly $400 before we got the panels. I guess when I calculate in the $100 for a new breaker every year, it will probably almost equal out. I just think that a circuit breaker that is just sitting there, with no power to it, should last and not have to be replaced every year. Thank you for your response.
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I take it that means there is an inverter in parallel to the utility supply? Harmonic distortion maybe possible and the GFCI doesn't play well with it?
 
I had a small restaurant remodel a couple years ago. Existing Westinghouse panel. had three different 2 pole BR GFCI's that didn't last more than 6 months. They all just failed to reset even with no load conductors connected. I don't know if there was something going on at that site causing this or if Eaton has a problem with their GFCI's. I mostly only use them when there is existing panel that needs them so don't deal with them much.
 
This doesn't sound like the GFCI is bad. It sounds like the GFCI is doing it's job! If it resets at all, it pretty much shows that. I think the problem is probably in the heater for the tub. I agree, keep the tub on year around and just keep the temp way down when not using it.
 
Little Bill said:
This doesn't sound like the GFCI is bad. It sounds like the GFCI is doing it's job! If it resets at all, it pretty much shows that. I think the problem is probably in the heater for the tub. I agree, keep the tub on year around and just keep the temp way down when not using it.
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When we had our hot tub we used it more in cold weather (especially if it was snowing) than we did in the warm weather. I'd just leave it on with the t'stat set at minimum and turn it up when I wanted to use it. It would get to temperature in an hour or so.
 
Little Bill said:
This doesn't sound like the GFCI is bad. It sounds like the GFCI is doing it's job! If it resets at all, it pretty much shows that. I think the problem is probably in the heater for the tub. I agree, keep the tub on year around and just keep the temp way down when not using it.
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But if the heater has an issue it should still be tripping his new GFCI.

There is possibility of moisture in someplace it doesn't belong and faulting enough current to trip a GFCI. I've run into this with extension cords, maybe engine block heater cords, pond pumps and similar. One trick for that is to plug into a non GFCI protected supply and let it "burn itself out" so to speak. It may then hold again on the GFCI after you have cleared the fault.
 
kwired said:
But if the heater has an issue it should still be tripping his new GFCI.

There is possibility of moisture in someplace it doesn't belong and faulting enough current to trip a GFCI. I've run into this with extension cords, maybe engine block heater cords, pond pumps and similar. One trick for that is to plug into a non GFCI protected supply and let it "burn itself out" so to speak. It may then hold again on the GFCI after you have cleared the fault.
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I was meaning moisture in the heating element.
 
Imo, it has to be the breaker since the tub works fine with a new gfci. My guess is that it is outside as Don was getting at and that is often a problem for gfci's. I would turn the breaker off or even remove it if here is some lightning or surges that is the issue.
 
If you drain the tub
Take the breaker out and put in the house untill your ready to fill again.
No different than a new one out of the box.
Hit the test buttons and rest before removal. Then good to go next year unless you have a tub issue.

Report back next year.

Sorry Dennis, did not see what you said before I posted
 
What do I need to do to keep the breaker from going bad every year?
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What is the purpose of a GFCI Breaker...

it is designed to protect...

protect what...

Protect living things from electrocution!

At this point you might begin to see how pathetic the responses are in this thread!!

This is the only statement worthy of any recognition...

"This doesn't sound like the GFCI is bad. It sounds like the GFCI is doing it's job!"

If that's the case...then where lies the problem...is the next question?!

It's called a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter...

The next logical question is...

Where is the Ground Fault!!

In fact that is the exact question the OP was asking without directly asking because he doesn't have the experience to know the lingo to ask it!!

OP >> Doctor here are the symptoms...what do ya think!!

Doctor >>I think you should just do whatever you can to stop it from interrupting and jump in!

Pretty Pathetic wouldn't you not agree!

My suggestion to the OP is this...

An experienced electrician should be more then capable of following standard electrical diagnostic procedures and fixing the issue
before someone is electrocuted !!

Keyword = before

There should be nobody in this Forum suggestion anything but to hire an experienced electrician for this issue!

You folks are risking lives with this BullPOOP in this Thread...GET IT YET!

The correct and proper response to the OP is simply this...find an experienced electrician for this issue!

GFCI's are not little toys you play with...they are protective devices designed to save LIVES !!!!

If the OP comes back next week and says...

Thanks for your help however my child jumped into the hottub this morning and was electrocuted !!

Oh yes that would probably never happen...however...what would happen is Mike Holt would likely get a letter from a Law Firm!

But more importantly a Child would be dead!

Because "It sounds like the GFCI is doing it's job!"

I have 55yrs of experience...I will do my job...and the only correct and proper response to the OP is simply this...

find an experienced electrician for this issue and don't use the Hottub until the issue is resolved!

1. Test the trip level of the GFCI
2. If trip level is good...find the Ground Fault

Pretty Simple for an experienced/equipped to test...electrician!!

Get it Yet!
 
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