Your hot tub is ideal for relaxing and unwinding, but that wouldn’t be the case if it kept tripping the breaker when the jets were turned on. These breaker trippings could be warnings of danger, which makes them more than just a nuisance. It could be dangerous, especially since water and electricity are involved.
If you are reading this, chances are you are having the same trouble some hot tub owners go through. Hottubs frequently experience GFCI problems, which are frequently easily fixed. However, before attempting to fix any electrical issues, be sure you know what you’re doing and the cause before providing a specific solution.
In this article, we will discuss why your hot tubs trip the breaker when the jets are turned on, so make you stick until the end.
What Is A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter?
A GFCI breaker box, or ground fault circuit interrupter, is a device designed to secure your hot tubs from unexpected changes in your power supply. When electricity travels down a path other than the circuit’s designers intended, grounding faults and short circuits happen.�
A GFCI interrupts the circuit and turns off all of the energy to your hot tubs when it notices an abnormality in the electrical supply, such as a ground fault condition or short circuit. It is frequently referred to as “tripping” the GFCI when this interruption takes place.
It is imperative to know where your GFCI breaker is located, as this would help determine the cause of any electrical issues in your spa. Your hot tub circuit breaker box will most likely be located in the control panel near or enclosing the hot tub outlet. The National Electrical Laws require that the GFCI breaker, be located at least six feet from your hot tub to decrease the likelihood of the electric system coming into contact with water.
6 Reasons Your Hot Tubs Trip The Breaker When Jets Are Turned On
When your circuit breaker trips, it clearly shows something wrong with your electrical supply. If it is a one-time reoccurrence, the simplest way to resolve this is to press the button that will reset the breaker. But when it repeatedly happens when your hot tub is turned on, and your jets are working, you have to start ruling out the possible causes as to why this happens.
Here are 6 possible reasons it trips the circuit breaker when your jets and hot tub are turned on.
1. Exposure To Moisture
You may experience frequent breaker trippings if there is moisture within the control box where it is located. These boxes are susceptible to condensation or rain-related moisture. In such a case, the moisture inside the control box may start harming the electrical components. If this happens, it is essential to replace broken components and ensure that the circuit box is sheltered from additional moisture.
2. Ground Fault Problem
The GCFI breaker has a lot to do with the electric connections in your hot tub. When the quantity of electricity load varies unusually, the GFCI circuit breaker activates. For a few reasons you might experience issues with the GFCI circuit breaker frequently tripping because of the following reasons.
- The GFCI has issues that are causing them to malfunction.
- Issues with a spa part or parts, like a heater or pump
- Incorrect GFCI wiring that needs to be fixed.
3. Short Circuits
This is a common problem among many home appliances, not just the hot tub. If this is the cause, a quick solution is necessary to avoid fire and electrocution. Over time, the wires in your hot tub may come into contact with one another, causing a surge in electricity all through the circuit and possibly even burning the wiring. This will most likely trip any breakers to minimize the damage caused by the burst.
A ground fault occurs due to wiring similar problems to short circuits. The main difference is the direction of the current. In this case, it contacts the ground, causing a fault and tripping the breaker.
4. Corrosion
Any damp area is prone to rust. This can corrode the wirings, connectors, ground wires, control panel of a hot tub, and other electrical components, leading to hot tub tripping.
Before examining issues inside your hot tub involving electricity, it is important always to cut off the primary electrical supply and never stand in the water or handle any wet objects.
Look for symptoms of corrosion, such as rust or white powder, when you open the electrical box. Then examine each component with a flashlight. A brush can be used to remove minor rust. In serious cases, you will probably need the help of the experts.
5. Loose Electrical Connections
The electric connections in your hot tub can become loose over time. Power fluctuations cause your Hot Tub’s circuit breaker to trip. Knowledgeable electricians will thoroughly check your Hot Tub and ensure security in any loose connections that may be causing the breaker to trip.
If this is the cause, it can be simply fixed. Loose connectors are relatively simple to repair. To maintain the wires in place, you may need to utilize a screwdriver to ensure the security of the screws inside your Hot Tub Spa Pack. Give them a quick push to ensure that the plastic plugs are secure. Any missing or broken connectors will also need to be patched.
6. Bad Heating Element
Your Hot tub’s heating element is one of the most commonly at-fault hot tub components. The heater component for your spa is made of a metal tube with a heating coil inside. To be heated, the hot tub water flows through the housing. The water won’t heat up if the coil isn’t hot. The hot tub breaker will then trip when something prompts the element to malfunction.
If this is the issue, turn off the heater’s breaker by flipping the switch. You might need to repair or replace the heating element if the breaker box does not trip when the heater is disconnected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions to guide why hot tub GFCI breaker trip when the jets are turned on.
Why Won�t My Hot Tub Breaker Stay On?
It could be something minor, like a bad connection and overloading, or it could be something much more dangerous. The most likely causes include short circuits, grounding faults, moisture exposure, malfunctioning GFCI outlets or breakers, rust and heat damage, and broken tub components.
Why Does My Hot Tub keep Kicking The Breaker?
Sparks, popping noises, or smoke are all signs of a short circuit and should always trigger a breaker to trip and kick or a fuse to burst. A loosened wire, a faulty connection, or even damage from mice or squirrels nibbling on cables could be the source of the problem.
Should I Be Worried If My Hot Tub Breaker Keeps On Tripping?
Don’t disregard a tripping circuit breaker. This indicates that one of the circuits is frequently overloaded. Your circuits can only handle a certain amount of voltage. You risk starting an electrical problem or fire if you exceed this voltage.
Conclusion
A hot tub breaker that keeps kicking when you turn the hot tub on or when the jets are working indicates a problem with electrical connections in your hot tub. Make sure that you have the right diagnosis for the problem. It could be among the 6 reasons stated above. Consult the experts to handle the problem for you. You might not want to do it alone, especially since mishandling it can lead to fire and other electrical problems.
