Having worked on many heaters over the years, I can tell you that the main reasons behind the Rheem water heater tripping breaker are:
- Faulty thermostat.
- Defective heating element.
- Wiring issues.
- Malfunctioning circuit breaker.
- Water leaks.
- Damaged water heater.
I’ll talk about each of these issues in detail in this guide along with their fixes. When you’re done reading this guide, you’ll know how to make the heater stop tripping the brakes. So, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Rheem Water Heater Tripping Breaker [How To Fix]
I’ll talk about all the major reasons behind the Rheem water heater tripping circuit breaker in this section.
01. Faulty Thermostat
If the circuit breaker is tripping due to an issue with the heater, look at the thermostat first. A malfunctioning thermostat is one of the most common reasons behind tripping circuit breakers.
So, how does it all play out? The thermostat regulates the water temperature inside the heater. It tells the heating element when to heat the water and when to not heat the water. There are usually two thermostats and two heating elements in most Rheem electric water heaters.
The thermostats in the heater make sure that your desired temperature is always maintained. Besides all that, it also has a safety mechanism. Whenever the water temperature exceeds 180 degrees Fahrenheit, the ECO is tripped.
The ECO shuts off the operation of the water heater. That’s because if you were to use water at that temperature, you’d definitely get scalded. The ECO prevents that from happening.
But that’s all a part of the normal operation of the heater. What if the thermostat were to malfunction? You see- that’s where the problem starts.
If you have a faulty thermostat, it can be stuck in an open position. That means it’ll constantly draw power. When it happens for an extensive period, the circuit breaker would get tripped.
How To Fix:
First, you have to test whether the thermostat is actually bad. You can do it easily if you have access to a digital multimeter. Turn off the water heater and make sure it has had enough time to cool down.
Then, test each thermostat individually with the multimeter. You should get a reading of 0 ohms of resistance if the thermostat is okay. If you get any other reading, you can conclude that you have a bad thermostat.
If you have a faulty thermostat, you’ll have to replace it. It’s a simple process if you have experience working on heaters. You just have to be aware of maintaining the right wiring connections. If you don’t want to take on the job yourself, you can consult a qualified technician.
02. Defective Heating Element
Another component in the water heater that is notorious for tripping the circuit breaker is the heating element. It’s the job of the heating element to heat the water. But any issues with it can cause a lot of problems with the heater.
The first scenario in which the bad heating element leads to this issue is when there’s physical damage to the heating element. The casing of the element can start to split.
When that happens, its electric portion will be exposed and come into contact with the water. That can lead to a short circuit and make the circuit breakers trip. It usually happens when the heating element is old and has reached the end of its lifespan.
The second scenario in which a heating element causes the circuit breaker to trip is when it’s constantly heating the water. The heating element is supposed to be turned on only when the water temperature inside the tank is lower than the desired temperature.
But due to issues with the thermostat or the heating element itself, it can be on at all times. Hence, the ECO or the limit switch of the water heater can trip and that’ll lead to the circuit breakers getting tripped.
How To Fix:
The first step is to test the heating element to confirm whether it’s defective or not. There’ll most likely be two heating elements in your water. So, make sure you check both of them individually.
The heating elements are located right below the thermostats. Flip the circuit breaker to the “Off” position. Set the multimeter to the continuity setting to test the heating element.
There should be a setting on the multimeter for audible sound. Connect the two probes of the multimeter with one another. If it makes a sound, then you can be sure it’s working. Here’s what it should look like:
Now, it’s time to connect the multimeter to the heating element. Disconnect the wires of the heating element from the terminal screws. Then, touch the probes to the screws. If you don’t hear an audible sound, you can conclude that you have a bad heating element.
If you hear the sound, you need to do one more test. Connect one of the multimeter probes to a screw and the other to the tank’s metal casing. Then, do the same thing with the other terminal screw.
You shouldn’t hear any beeping sound in both of these cases. If you hear the sound, you can be sure that you have a bad heating element. Unfortunately, a faulty heating element can’t be repaired in most cases. You’d most likely have to replace it.
03. How To Replace The Heating Element?
Replacing the heating element on your own can seem like a daunting task. But if you follow the right instructions properly, it’ll be as smooth as butter. The main thing to keep in mind is that you’ll need an element wrench to replace the heating element.
Make sure you have the right replacement part and that it matches the specifications of your water heater. Once you do that, you can follow these steps to replace the heating element.
- Turn off the water heater and remove the access panel of the heating element you want to replace. Unfold the insulation and remove the plastic cover to access the heating element.
- Shut off the cold water supply and open a hot water faucet. Take a garden hose, and attach one end to the drain valve and the other end outside. Start draining the water from the tank.
- If you want to replace the upper heating element, you don’t have to drain the tank all the way. Just drain it enough so that the water level is lower than the heating element. Drain it fully if you’re replacing the lower heating element.
- Disconnect the wires attached to the heating element you want to replace. Loosen the heating element with the element wrench and pull it out.
- Set the new heating element in the right position and tighten it by hand at first. Then, use the element wrench to secure it in its place.
- Turn on the cold water supply and see if there’s any leak. Tighten the heating element if water is leaking from it. If there are no leaks, you can put everything back together and complete the installation.
That’s how you can replace the heating element by yourself. If it seems like too much work, you can hire a technician for the job. The downside is that you’ll be paying for labor charges that you could have saved.
04. Wiring Issues
Does the circuit breaker of your water heater flip immediately to the “Off” position as soon as you turn it on? If yes, the two main potential culprits behind it are a faulty heating element and wiring issues.
You already know how to test a heating element and replace it when needed. So, that leaves wiring issues. The problems with wiring are mainly of two types – the wiring of your house or the internal wiring.
If there’s an issue with the overall wiring in your house, other devices can act up as well. So, keep an eye out for that. If any of the other electrical components are acting weird, there could be a wiring issue in your house.
You may see flickering lights or switches that won’t work during this time. Inspect the wiring between the circuit breaker and the water heater as well. Make sure the connection is tight.
If the wiring is loose, it can come into contact with different surfaces and trip the breaker. Look for signs of corrosion in them. If your water heater is relatively old, it could be a potential cause.
Next, you have to keep internal wiring issues in mind as well. There’s not much you can do here. Take off the access panel covers and inspect the wiring that’s visible to you. Make sure the power to the heater is turned off.
If everything looks good, leave it at that. You shouldn’t look further if you’re not an electrician. However, if you see any corroded wires, you may have found the cause behind the issue.
There are many reasons why the wiring can be damaged. It can simply get corroded with time. It can also be shorted due to electric surges or from a loose connection. If you see any smoke coming out of the heater when you’re looking for wiring issues, there could be a serious problem with the heater.
How To Fix:
I recommend that you delegate fixing this issue to an electrician. If you find any signs of corrosion or damage to the wires, they have to be replaced. It can be hard to do on your own without the technical know-how.
You may also accidentally electrocute yourself if you don’t know what you’re doing. So, you’re better off hiring an electrician for this one. If you haven’t found any wiring issues, then look for all the other issues mentioned in this guide first.
The process of elimination is an effective way to detect wiring issues that aren’t too obvious. If everything else in your heater is okay, then it’s most likely a wiring issue. In that case, the electrician will also have to diagnose and fix the root problem.
05. Malfunctioning Circuit Breaker
If the circuit breaker is getting continuously tripped, there’s always the possibility that the breaker itself is bad. It’s not something you should overlook or take lightly.
The main thing that can cause an issue with the circuit breaker is if it’s not of the right size for your heater. For example, a 30 amp circuit breaker is right for a 4500 Watt water heater.
If you use a circuit breaker with a lower load capacity, it can get easily tripped. On the other hand, using a breaker higher than that is also not right. Circuit breakers are meant to prevent the electrical components from being damaged.
If the amperage rating is too high, the circuit breaker won’t get tripped at the right time. So, the electrical components can get damaged. When it comes to the circuit breaker, you have to use the one that’s exactly right for your heater.
Secondly, the circuit breaker may have gone bad after being used for a long period. On average, circuit breakers last for 30-40 years. So, it may have gone bad after serving its utility.
Keep in mind that the water heater circuit breaker shouldn’t be shared with any other appliances. If other devices are connected to the same circuit, then it’s no wonder that the circuit breaker is tripping. Electrical surges can also make the breaker trip.
How To Fix:
You’d have to replace the circuit breaker if it’s damaged. If it’s only the subbreaker that controls the heater that’s gone bad, you can only replace it. But if the main breaker is defective, you have to replace it entirely.
Make sure you’re using the right circuit breaker for your heater. Hire an electrician to do this job. There are real injury risks here and no DIYer should take on this task. Hopefully, you’d be able to use the heater without any issues if the replacement goes through properly.
06. Water Leaks
Just like fire and gasoline, the combination of water and electricity can be devastating. They’re not supposed to come into contact with one another. If you see a puddle of water at the bottom of your heater, there’s a strong chance that leaking water is making the breakers trip.
When water and the electric components touch one another, it can fry the circuits and cause the circuit breaker to trip.
There could be many sources from which the water is leaking. The pipe connections, drain valves, T&P relief valves, and heating element connections are the top ones you should be on the lookout for.
How To Fix:
First, make sure the heater is turned off. Then, shut off the cold water supply line and inspect the source of the leak. It’s important that the water heater is turned off. Otherwise, it can lead to electrical shocks.
I have a dedicated Rheem leaking water guide where you can find the common leak points along with their fixes. Follow it to locate the leak source and take the right corrective actions.
The main issue here is that the leak may have already done significant damage to some components in the heater. If that’s the case, consult a qualified technician as you have to replace the damaged components as well.
07. Damaged Heater
The most common parts in the heater that can make the circuit breakers trip are heating elements and thermostats. Hopefully, you’ve already checked them by now.
But if you’re using an old heater, it may have undergone significant wear and tear. Water heaters can only last for so long. If you’ve used your unit for more than a decade, it’s time to accept that it’s going bad.
The common signs of such heaters are water leaks, the formation of rust, and rumbling noises. Exactly what went wrong with the heater can be hard to find out as it’s a complex device.
But if you notice these symptoms, there’s a strong chance that the heater is starting to go bad. As the heater is persistent, it tries to run despite the issues and ends up tripping the breakers.
How To Fix:
The right solution is to replace the water heater. You can upgrade to a bigger heater if your family has more hot water needs. If not, you can go bad for a similar-sized heater.
It’s not impossible to repair the heater. You can hire a qualified technician first. Depending on the issue, it may be fixed. But if your heater is already old, it’s prone to going bad again. Replacing it makes more sense and it’s the better option if you want a long-term solution.
FAQs:
Why does the circuit breaker trip?
The purpose of the circuit breaker is to prevent the electronic device attached to it from overloading. And that’s exactly why it trips. It shuts off the power to the device when there’s an issue in the electrical system.
What’s the right size of breakers for Rheem water heaters?
It depends largely on the tank size of the water heater. The bigger the tank, the more power the heater will need. Check with the store you got it from or call Rheem to learn the right size for your model.
Should you bypass the circuit breaker if it keeps on tripping?
Remember that the circuit breaker is there for a reason. It may be annoying to see the circuit breaker trip now and then. But if you open it permanently, the electric components will likely get damaged during a power surge.
How often should you check the T&P valve in a Rheem water heater?
Ideally, you should try to operate the T&P relief valve manually once every year to see if it works. If there’s anything wrong with it, you should replace the T&P relief valve right away as it’s an important component.
Conclusion
Now, you know the primary reasons behind the Rheem water heater tripping breaker and their fixes. If you aren’t using an old heater, there’s a high chance that either the heating element or the thermostat is damaged.
However, you should look into all the potential issues. Hopefully, it’ll be an easy fix and your heater will stop tripping the breaker. Check out our Rheem electric heater problem-solving guide if you’re facing other issues with your heater.
Also read, “Rheem Water Heater Chamber Sensor Failure & 9 Flashes“.