Spa trips GFI when temperature reaches just short of the safe level
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Spa trips GFI when temperature reaches just short of the safe level
I have a large spa that is 1990 vintage, but is only used a few weeks in the winter each year. It is in the basement. It is hooked up to a 240V 40 Amp GFI circuit breaker.
Years ago it worked fine. A while back it started tripping the GFI circuit breaker when the temperature reaches about 92 degrees. We like to get it up to 94, so it's a bit of a pain having to reset the GFI breaker practically every time we use it to get it up another couple of degrees.
Is it the high temperature limit switch that is causing this? What is the fix?
Thanks,
quickcurrent
Years ago it worked fine. A while back it started tripping the GFI circuit breaker when the temperature reaches about 92 degrees. We like to get it up to 94, so it's a bit of a pain having to reset the GFI breaker practically every time we use it to get it up another couple of degrees.
Is it the high temperature limit switch that is causing this? What is the fix?
Thanks,
quickcurrent
#2
It does sound like a faulty over limit switch. It is tripping the Over Current Protection part of the breaker, not the GFCI part. You may, also want to check the nameplate to make sure 40 amps is large enough to handle the spa. OCD's I have installed were 50 amps. Wiring must match OCD, however. IF it is 40 amps, then I would change the breaker, too, as they have a propensity to go south as well.
#3
Member
Thread Starter
Thanks, chandler.
40 Amps is what the spa equipment manufacturer called for. I put the spa in myself back then and it worked beautifully for many years. This is older equipment and has fewer jets than current models. The jets and air pump do not function while it is heating. All wiring is sized for 40 Amps.
I'll look into replacing the over limit switch and see what happens once I've done that.
40 Amps is what the spa equipment manufacturer called for. I put the spa in myself back then and it worked beautifully for many years. This is older equipment and has fewer jets than current models. The jets and air pump do not function while it is heating. All wiring is sized for 40 Amps.
I'll look into replacing the over limit switch and see what happens once I've done that.
#4
I would doubt that the actual switch is causing a problem. If the unit was going over heat then it would show up on display.
The only way to know for sure is to put a current probe on the supply wiring and see what the unit is drawing.
When the breaker trips.... is it hot ?
If the breaker is not hot I would put my money on a defective heating element.
The only way to know for sure is to put a current probe on the supply wiring and see what the unit is drawing.
When the breaker trips.... is it hot ?
If the breaker is not hot I would put my money on a defective heating element.