Troubleshooting a Circuit

[TX63CONV]

I have a circuit that has my pool light and the automatic sliding gate opener on it. Lately, when it rains the breaker will trip and will not re-set. I have called the electrician that my pool contractor recommended but it has been difficult to get him out here.

Now that we have not had rain for a day or two, it is back working.

The installation is 4 years old.

The circuit (I'm guessing) runs from the outside fuse box to the gate, a nearby outdoor plug, the switch for the pool light and to the pool light. As far as I know, there is nothing else on this circuit.

The gate opener is hard wired in. It is an elite el3000 unit.

What can I do to help trace the problem or troubleshoot where the issue is? I am guessing it is grounding out somewhere due to water infiltration because it only seems to happen when we have torrential downpours.

Any help is welcomed.

 

[matt_i]

I would open up each device and see if there are signs of water infiltration. Likely you will see the mineral stains, possibly daylight. That is your best initial troubleshooting step. If you aren't sure which devices are on the circuit, shut off the breaker and try everything.

If you find nothing, it could potentially be a UF wire that's cut underground and not visible.

If you can diagram the basic layout of the circuit while investigating, you could potentially shutdown and isolate part of the circuit before the next rainstorm. More or less use wire nuts to isolate the conductors and rely on careful monitoring after rains to see if you find an improvement. Its low tech and cheap, but takes longer.

 

[ModClean]

Gutsy approach would be to leave the breaker on, and approach these fixtures barefoot with a running garden hose, one at a time, and see which one trips the breaker.

Kidding, of course. Matt gave you good advice.

 

[Falcon67]

Our pool pump trips the GFCI in a rain if water gets in the socket where the motor plugs in. It's a small 18' pool with a cord on plug pump motor. The "fix" is elevating the socket and covering the plug/socket with a plastic bag and electrical tape for the duration of the summer. As above, I'd look for water getting into your connections - have to kill the power and open up things one at a time to see what's going on.