My Spa Pool Breaker Keeps Tripping: What Could Be the Cause?

If you own a spa pool and are experiencing problems with your breaker tripping, there's no need to worry. It can be a common issue, and usually, there is a straightforward solution to the problem.

In this guide, you'll learn:

• What is a spa circuit breaker and why do I need one?
• How much will it cost to replace my spa circuit breaker?
• Does a worn or old circuit breaker cause my spa breaker to trip?
• How do I test for a faulty spa circuit breaker?
• Can loose connections or faulty wiring cause my spa circuit breaker to trip?
• How do I diagnose which component in my spa is tripping the breaker?
• Why does my spa breaker trip when my heater is on high?

Please note: This article includes electrical advice and information. A licensed electrician must carry out all electrical work. Any electrical information included here, whether it is troubleshooting or other instructions, are provided for use by a licensed electrician only. Local electrical codes supersede any information found here.

Power Tripping Troubleshooting Guide for New Vortex Spas™

Important note: The troubleshooting guide above must be carried out by a licensed electrician and only applies to Vortex Spas™. If you're using a different brand, please refer to the appropriate technical guide for your spa model.

What is a spa circuit breaker and why do I need one?

A spa circuit breaker is a device that helps protect your electrical system. If something goes wrong with your spa, the breaker will trip and turn off the power, preventing any further damage or potential electric shock.

How much will it cost to replace my spa circuit breaker?

You can purchase a spa circuit breaker online or at a local electrical supply store. The average cost of a circuit breaker is between $25 and $50.

It is important to make sure that you purchase the correct replacement breaker. The replacement breaker must be compatible with your spa and must be rated for the same amperage as the original breaker. Take note of the rating on your original circuit breaker and make sure you replace it with the exact same amperage.

It is recommended to consult a registered electrician to replace your spa circuit breaker.

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Does a worn or old circuit breaker cause my spa breaker to trip?

If your spa's circuit breaker trips, it could in fact just be a worn or old circuit breaker. The spa's breaker is designed to protect the spa equipment from electrical damage and protect you from shocks if there are any electrical problems in your spa or incorrect wiring. The circuit breaker can become worn over time and may need replacing. Power surges and electrical storms can shorten the life of your breaker.

How do I test for a faulty spa circuit breaker?

1. If the circuit breaker is in the off position, flip it back to ON
2. If the breaker trips again right away, turn everything off in your spa and disconnect the main power inlet to your spa and anything else connected to that circuit. *Note if your spa or electrical equipment on the circuit is hardwired, you should consult a registered electrician to disconnect anything.
3. Turn the circuit breaker on again
4. If the breaker doesn't trip off this time, then you know the breaker itself is not faulty and the issue is with some component in your spa
5. If the breaker does trip with nothing connected, then the circuit breaker is faulty and will need to be replaced

If you suspect that your spa's breaker is worn or old, you should contact a qualified electrician to replace it. Doing so will help to ensure that your spa remains safe and reliable.

Can loose connections or faulty wiring cause my spa circuit breaker to trip?

Yes. A loose electrical connection or incorrect wiring in your spa can cause power fluctuations that lead to trips of the circuit breaker.

If you notice any warm components that can indicate a short circuit that is generating heat.

If you suspect some incorrect wiring or a loose connection, we recommend you call a registered electrician who can provide professional help and fix the problem correctly. The electrician may also identify and fix any other electrical issues with your spa while they are on site.

Can a damaged heater element cause my spa breaker to trip?

A damaged heater element is one of the most common causes of breaker trips in spa pools. If your spa's heating element is damaged, it can cause an electrical short that will trip the breaker.

You can test your spa's heating element with a multimeter to see if it is functioning properly. If the reading on the multimeter is not within the range specified by the manufacturer, then the heating element needs to be replaced.

It is recommended that you replace a damaged heating element with a new one that is identical to the old one. Shop spa heaters and heating elements

Can exposure to moisture and dampness cause my spa breaker to trip?

Exposure to moisture and dampness can cause your spa breaker to trip. This is because excessive moisture and dampness can cause corrosion of the electrical components in your spa.

Moisture can get into your components if you don't have sufficient drainage under your spa, allowing water and dampness to build up.

If you notice any corrosion on the electrical components in your spa, you should contact a qualified electrician to replace them. Doing so will help to ensure that your spa remains safe and reliable.

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Can a flooded ozonator or air blower cause my spa breaker to trip?

A flooded ozonator or air blower can cause your spa breaker to trip. This can be caused if one of the check valves has failed, allowing water into the component, where it is not designed to be.

If this is the case, you can simply replace the failed component and everything should return to working correctly. Make sure you replace the check valve also to stop the problem from occurring again!

Overfilling your spa above the recommended water level can also cause water to flow backwards into your blower airline. Ensure your water level is at or below the recommended fill level, if the level is too high, then drain a small amount of water out until the water reaches the correct level.

How do I diagnose which component in my spa is tripping the breaker?

If you have followed the above steps and your breaker is still tripping, then you will need to start disconnecting each component in your spa one by one until the breaker no longer trips. (Ensure the power is disconnected before touching any electrical components).

Once you have found the component that is causing the problem, you can either replace it or have it repaired by a qualified electrician or spa technician.

Does my spa have to be on a circuit breaker?

Yes, your spa must be on its own individual circuit breaker to ensure that there is no overloading of the electrical system. The components in your spa can draw 15A or more, which is too much to be tapped onto an existing electrical circuit on your property. Some larger spas and swim spas draw up to 60A of electrical current.

Why does my spa breaker trip when my heater is on high?

If your spa breaker trips when your heater is on high, this could be caused by a number of reasons. It could be that the heating element is damaged and needs to be replaced, or it could be that there are too many other components operating on the circuit.

You could try turning your circulation pumps off while running the heater on the highest heat mode, this will cause less of a current load on our circuit breaker.

Older spa controllers don't have the ability to adjust the electrical load that they are drawing. Upgrading to a modern spa controller like the SpaNet SV Mini series will provide you with more intelligent technology that can reduce the current load on your electrical circuit by automatically turning off your filtration when your heater is on high.

It is also possible that there is a problem with the wiring in your spa. If you suspect that this is the case, you should contact a qualified electrician to investigate and resolve the issue.

In some cases, the breaker itself may be faulty and need to be replaced. If you are not sure how to do this, you should contact an electrician or spa technician for assistance.

What size breaker do I need for a 240V spa pool?

As a general rule, for a small to medium 240V spa pool in Australia, you will need a breaker that is rated for at least 15A.

However, it is always best to consult with an electrician or spa technician to ensure that you have the correct size breaker for your spa. Some larger spas require a larger circuit breaker.

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Where is the spa circuit breaker located?

The spa circuit breaker is typically located in the main electrical panel for your property. However, it is always best to consult with an electrician or spa technician to be sure.

Do I need an emergency stop switch for my spa pool?

All Australian spas and swim spas need to have an emergency stop switch for all electrical components including pumps, blowers and heaters. The Australian Standard AS 2610:2007 requires this device to be installed within 3 meters (9 feet) of the spa with visibility at all times.

You'll need a licensed electrician to install this for you.

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Got more questions?

Talk to us on live chat, or email us your spa questions and we'll be happy to help!