A spa's GFCI (or Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter) breaker tripping is a common problem and most of the time an easy fix. Though it can be caused by a host of possible parts, determining the problem part will take some troubleshooting and repairs will require working with electricity. When troubleshooting always remember to turn off the breaker before you begin and be sure you are not touching anything wet. If you have any reservations or are unsure what you are doing, this is the time to call a professional.
The first troubleshooting step in determining what is causing the GFCI to trip is to make sure the power is turned off and unplug all of the components: the heater, pump(s), and any other accessories like ozonators or blowers. Once that has been completed try turning the breaker back on with nothing plugged in. If the breaker trips, you could have a problem with the breaker itself or the circuit board. If the breaker doesn’t trip, its time to start to plug the components in one by one. Turn off the breaker again, plug one component back in, and turn on the breaker. If the breaker trips, the part you have reconnected last or the wiring to that component is likely the problem. Once you have determined the problem part, it's time to figure out why:
- Moisture can be a factor when it comes to your GFCI tripping. Always remember safety first when you are working with electricity around water - investigate the area around the breaker itself for water before you start to unplug any parts. If you find moisture on, in or around the breaker box, determining where the moisture is coming from may resolve the issue and keep the GFCI from tripping. If the breaker is tripping because of moisture, then the GFCI is doing its job correctly and protecting against electric shock around water. As water can result from leaks, rain and splashout, you may be able to remedy the tripping problem by moving the breaker box farther away from the hot tub or building a splash barrier. Always consult local regulations as there is generally a minimum distance the GFCI is required to be away from the hot tub itself.
- Corrosion can also be the culprit to a tripping breaker. All electrical components have wires and connections that can corrode. As you have narrowed down the area where the problem part is located, grab a flashlight and inspect the inside of your spa carefully. If you find corrosion you will need to change them out for new parts, or hire a professional to do it for you.
- When you are investigating the inside of the breaker you may also want to check electrical connections. With the power off, make sure the wires are secure, and look for any signs of damage such as burnt or melted wires. Please remember that unless you feel comfortable with electrical wiring, hire a spa technician or electrician to test or replace the damaged parts.
- The heating element is a part that over the lifetime of your hot tub, you will most likely need to replace. This is one the most common causes of the GFCI breaker tripping. To determine whether the element is what is causing your breaker to trip, turn the breaker off and disconnect your heater. Turn the breaker back on and see whether it trips again. If the breaker stays on, then the heating element is in need of replacement. Some heater models have a replaceable element inside, while others are not serviceable and the whole heater would need to be replaced.
- A seized or damaged pump can also cause the GFCI to trip. If this is determined to be the cause the pump would need to be repaired or replaced. Optional accessories like a blower or ozonator can also cause breaker tripping, if these are determined to be the cause they can be replaced or removed. Additional work may be required to remove optional accessories such as: blocking off or plugging any plumbing that was attached to the accessory, removing cables or wires, etc.
Determining what is causing your GFCI to trip can take some time and care. But once you have narrowed down the culprit parts, you can usually have them replaced and get your spa up and running in no time.