problem with my boiler

[alwayssleepy]

I've been getting an unusual problem which i hope someone can help me fix or at least point me in the right direction. For the past several weeks the boiler has been tripping my breaker and initially i thought there was a problem so i checked it and everything was working fine. The boiler is all good, the wiring is good, everything is as it should be but something is still tripping the breaker and the worst part is that it's random

 

[circleofdown]

I've been getting an unusual problem which i hope someone can help me fix or at least point me in the right direction. For the past several weeks the boiler has been tripping my breaker and initially i thought there was a problem so i checked it and everything was working fine. The boiler is all good, the wiring is good, everything is as it should be but something is still tripping the breaker and the worst part is that it's random

This could only mean there's something inside your boiler or the wiring that only fails in specific conditions like moisture, vibration, or something. Or is your breaker overloaded? I guess you checked it so that answers my question but you still have to check further. There's something in your system affecting it.

 

[VoltagexV]

Hey @alwayssleepy, has this been fixed?? I had a call for a random tripping water heater breaker, similar to how you described your situation. We checked everything on the electrical side, and it all looked good, but it kept tripping every few days. It turned out it was a failing pressure relief valve with a very slow, intermittent drip. A few drops would hit the wiring terminals, causing a momentary short, then tripped the breaker. The water would then evaporate, and the circuit would be fine until it happened again. Replaced the valve and problem solved! So it's might worth checking yours for any tiny leaks!!

Aside from that, I'd agree with @circleofdown that it could be a problem with the boiler's element. I'm thinking a failing element could develop even a hairline crack and would short when it's at full temperature. You could try putting an ammeter on the circuit and monitor the draw as the boiler heats up to see if you get a sudden spike or jump.

 

[PGB1]

Hi Always Sleepy,
It this boiler gas fired or electric? Is it a residential water heater?

If electric, what VoltagexV mentioned about a hairline crack is quite common. I worked in a facility with over 200 small 40 & 50 gallon electric water heaters and several 500,000 watt electric boilers. Your symptoms occurred quite often.

If you are comfortable with electricity, try this:
(Using a residential, two-element water heater as the example)
Turn off the power to the boiler and make sure it is off.
Unhook the wires to the lower element and cap them.
Turn the power on and use the boiler as normal. (It will heat more slowly.)

If it operates well, consider that the lower element is bad. That is the most common one to fail first.

If the circuit breaker trips, try re-connecting the first element and unhooking the second one for a test.

If it still trips the circuit breaker, consider a defective circuit breaker. They get old and trip early sometimes- especially with pure resistance loads.
The above are the most common failures we saw at the facility.

If you change an element, I advise changing all. Also flush the tank and check the sacrificial anode rod.

Paul

 

[Wanderingfree]

Hi. Normally this is the water pump.

 

[Ground3dGuy]

@PGB1

Okay, that's good info, it's common for those lower elements to fail, so checking it like that is a smart move for problem-solving. Switching out both elements and looking at the anode is also a great idea.