My circuit breaker keeps kicking off on my electric hot water tank?

Question

Will a heating element that is going bad pull more amps causing the breaker to kick off?

Answer 1

Yes it can............how old is the tank........anything over 10 is getting ready............used to go 20 .......not very often now.  Good luck

Answer 2

If you have sediment build up to the bottom heating element, you have a lot of build up in there.  This will cause a similar situation when you turn the water heater on with no water in it, which is called a dry fire, and will blow the element before your finger is off the breaker or switch.  If you replace the lower element with sediment build up present, this problem will occur again, unless you get a special element that will not go out due to sediment build up.  But if it has gotten to this point, get a new heater, and drain it once a year to get the sediment build up out.  But depending on the water in your area, it may need to be drained once a year.  When you heat water, it is eaiser for the calicum to be separated from the water.

Answer 3

replace your breaker. It might be going bad.  Or if anything is on that breaker with your heater it might be overloaded

Answer 4

It is possible. Sediment in the bottom of the tank can cause the bottom element to short out and thus draw  more amps.

Answer 5

It's also possible for the element to have corroded completely in two and the exposed wires from the inside could be electrifying the water tank, causing a dead short that would trip the breaker.  Have someone come check the elements and replace them if necessary.