GFCI issue with hot tub

[fourjeepin]

GFCI immediately trips when I flip it from off to on. What is the best way to diagnose the issue?

GFCI is new, as is the control box it is connected to. Tub came with my house and I am finally trying to get it working. The heater was broken so I replaced it with a controller and put in the GFCI.

Here’s a picture of the sub panel. Panel was prexisting. The other two 240 breakers are not connected as they are no longer needed with the new spa controller.

 

[fourjeepin]

Another picture

 

[Bert_]

The neutral you ran needs to go on the GFCI breaker

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Agree with above.

Circuit Neutral is not on GFCI breaker so that will cause it to trip.

 

[fourjeepin]

You guys are the best. Trying that now...

 

[38 Dodge Coupe]

Just experienced this on my cal spa. In my case the heater element shorted and trips breaker. I ordered replacement heater element and that took care of it.


Sent from my iPad using Garage Journal

 

[fourjeepin]

Electrical issue is resolved thanks to you guys. Now to address the two leaking joints. After replacing most of the pipes, I feared there would be leaks.

Tub is in an attached sunroom. All plumbing runs thru the interior wall into a basement closet. I had to replumb most everything in that closet.

 

[850xpeps]

Agree with above.

Circuit Neutral is not on GFCI breaker so that will cause it to trip.

The neutral you ran needs to go on the GFCI breaker

This would be because it’s also an arc fault right?

 

[Bert_]

This would be because it’s also an arc fault right?

No it's just a GFCI. It measures current on all the wires and if all the current doesn't go back though the breaker it will trip. The OP's neutral going straight to the buss allowed current to bypass the breaker.

 

[850xpeps]

No it's just a GFCI. It measures current on all the wires and if all the current doesn't go back though the breaker it will trip. The OP's neutral going straight to the buss allowed current to bypass the breaker.

So what would the curly wire from the breaker going to the neutral be for?

Just never seen a gfci like this. Our arc faults have the neutral pigtail.

 

[Bert_]

So what would the curly wire from the breaker going to the neutral be for?

Just never seen a gfci like this. Our arc faults have the neutral pigtail.

Not exactly sure of the question.

There is three lugs on the breaker, (2) hots and a neutral. The hots go though the breaker and connect to the buss. The neutral goes though the breaker so it can measure current and then connects to the neutral bus though the curly wire.

Fun fact, AFCI's will also trip on current imbalance just like a GFCI. I think afci's will trip somewhere around 30mA imbalance vs. a GFCI that trips with 4-6mA imbalance.

 

[rlitman]

So what would the curly wire from the breaker going to the neutral be for?

Just never seen a gfci like this. Our arc faults have the neutral pigtail.

Bert spelled it out. The neutral from the circuit hooks up to the breaker. The curly wire connects to the panel neutral bus, giving the neutral on the circuit a path back there.

AFCI breakers need a neutral in order to draw power to run their circuitry.

 

[fourjeepin]

Tub is pumping water! Had one joint that I neglected to glue and one union that wasn’t fully seated. I haven’t tried high speed to build any pressure yet. Still filling with water and watching for other leaks. Tub has been sitting for at least 8 years since I bought this house so it will need a bit of cleaning before it’s first use. I did drop a few chlorine tablets in it, but almost zero circulation.

 

[850xpeps]

Bert spelled it out. The neutral from the circuit hooks up to the breaker. The curly wire connects to the panel neutral bus, giving the neutral on the circuit a path back there.



AFCI breakers need a neutral in order to draw power to run their circuitry.

Ya I knew why they were on afci but didn’t realize gfci breakers had them as well.

Thanks for the info.