Circuit breaker question

[thermo102]

We have a spa with heater protected by a GFI 30 amp Circuit Breaker.

Is there anything inherent in the device to cause them to go bad? I just
replaced it after 6-years.

The original CB also failed after 6-years. Both times, it was after being
tripped off all summer because the heaters were not needed, and then would
not reset.

Other than tripping it off four (4) times a year when servicing the spa,
nothing is done to it.

We don't bother to check it monthly. Would this have any bearing on it's
failure.

The things are far from cheap, so I wonder if there is anything we are ( or
are not) doing which causes them to fail.

Thanks in advance,
Thermo

 

[PeterD]

On Fri, 10 Sep 2010 18:09:31 -0700, "thermo102"
<thermo102@comcast.net> wrote:

We have a spa with heater protected by a GFI 30 amp Circuit Breaker.

Is there anything inherent in the device to cause them to go bad? I just
replaced it after 6-years.

The original CB also failed after 6-years. Both times, it was after being
tripped off all summer because the heaters were not needed, and then would
not reset.

Other than tripping it off four (4) times a year when servicing the spa,
nothing is done to it.

We don't bother to check it monthly. Would this have any bearing on it's
failure.

The things are far from cheap, so I wonder if there is anything we are ( or
are not) doing which causes them to fail.

Thanks in advance,
Thermo

What kind of circuit breaker? (brand and model) and where is it
located? I suspect moisture intrusion problems if it is P/O the spa.

 

[thermo102]

"PeterD" <peter2@hipson.net> wrote in message
news:4mqm869hfeef2go1vrp5edbqo402nqbh8t@4ax.com...

On Fri, 10 Sep 2010 18:09:31 -0700, "thermo102"
thermo102@comcast.net> wrote:

We have a spa with heater protected by a GFI 30 amp Circuit Breaker.

Is there anything inherent in the device to cause them to go bad? I just
replaced it after 6-years.

The original CB also failed after 6-years. Both times, it was after being
tripped off all summer because the heaters were not needed, and then would
not reset.

Other than tripping it off four (4) times a year when servicing the spa,
nothing is done to it.

We don't bother to check it monthly. Would this have any bearing on it's
failure.

The things are far from cheap, so I wonder if there is anything we are (
or
are not) doing which causes them to fail.

Thanks in advance,
Thermo


What kind of circuit breaker? (brand and model) and where is it
located? I suspect moisture intrusion problems if it is P/O the spa.

The circuit breaker we are inquiring about is:

GE Two-Pole TYPE THQL-GFCI Actual catalog number on box is THQL2130GF1,
model 5.

It is loacated in a separate subpanel, between the main panel and the spa.
It is mounted approx. 24 inches above the ground on the corner of the house.
All wiring is in conduit, running horizontal and about six inches above the
ground, and enters the box from the bottom.

Distance from the subpanel to the spa's electrical hookups is approximate
six feet.

Being in AZ, I wouldn't think moisture to be a problem, but???

Thanks again,
Themo

 

[PeterD]

On Mon, 13 Sep 2010 12:30:29 -0700, "thermo102"
<thermo102@comcast.net> wrote:

The circuit breaker we are inquiring about is:

GE Two-Pole TYPE THQL-GFCI Actual catalog number on box is THQL2130GF1,
model 5.

Ah, a GFCI, that may well be the problem.

It is loacated in a separate subpanel, between the main panel and the spa.
It is mounted approx. 24 inches above the ground on the corner of the house.
All wiring is in conduit, running horizontal and about six inches above the
ground, and enters the box from the bottom.

Exposed? (Seems that way). Might be a factor.

Distance from the subpanel to the spa's electrical hookups is approximate
six feet.

Being in AZ, I wouldn't think moisture to be a problem, but???

Could be, perhaps, but less likely.

Thanks again,
Themo

I suspect that there is a ground fault developing.

 

[Jasen Betts]

On 2010-09-11, thermo102 <thermo102@comcast.net> wrote:

We have a spa with heater protected by a GFI 30 amp Circuit Breaker.

Is there anything inherent in the device to cause them to go bad? I just
replaced it after 6-years.

The original CB also failed after 6-years. Both times, it was after being
tripped off all summer because the heaters were not needed, and then would
not reset.

Other than tripping it off four (4) times a year when servicing the spa,
nothing is done to it.

We don't bother to check it monthly. Would this have any bearing on it's
failure.

Any shance it's getting damp?

Find some other way to turn off the heaters.

The things are far from cheap, so I wonder if there is anything we are ( or
are not) doing which causes them to fail.

Have you looked?

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