USA Expert Plumbing

Water heater tripping the circuit breaker: causes and fixes

By USA Expert Plumbing Editorial Team. Updated . 1 min read.

Short answer

An electric water heater that trips its breaker usually has a shorted heating element, a failed thermostat, loose or damaged wiring, water in the junction box, or a worn breaker. Reset the breaker once. If it trips again, leave it off and have the elements and wiring tested; repeated resets can damage wiring.

In this guide
  1. Common causes
  2. What to check safely
  3. What an electrician or plumber tests
  4. Repair cost
  5. Breaker and wire sizing

A tripped breaker is the circuit protecting itself. If the water heater keeps tripping it, something is drawing too much current or shorting.

Electric water heaters run on 240 volts. Turn off the breaker and confirm the power is off before opening any access panel.

Common causes

CauseClue
Shorted heating elementTrips as soon as heating starts
Failed thermostatElement stays on; may trip the high limit too
Loose or burned wiringScorch marks or a burning smell at terminals
Water in the junction box or element areaLeak from a fitting or element gasket
Worn or undersized breakerTrips even after parts test good

What to check safely

  1. Reset the breaker once. If it trips immediately, leave it off.
  2. Look for water on top of the heater or behind the access panels.
  3. Note any burning smell or discoloration at the junction box.

What an electrician or plumber tests

  • Each element's resistance, and whether it is shorted to the tank
  • The thermostats and the high-limit switch
  • The wiring, terminal connections and the breaker itself
  • That the breaker and wire size match the heater's rating label

Repair cost

A shorted element or thermostat is a common, moderate repair; see our water heater element replacement cost and water heater thermostat replacement cost guides. Wiring and breaker problems are electrician work.

Breaker and wire sizing

Electric water heaters list their voltage and wattage on the rating label. The breaker and wire must match the manufacturer's installation instructions. An undersized breaker trips under normal load, and an oversized breaker with small wire is a fire hazard. If the heater was recently replaced with a higher-wattage model, ask an electrician to confirm the circuit.

Common questions

Can a bad element trip a breaker?

Yes. An element that shorts to the tank is one of the most common causes.

Is it safe to keep resetting the breaker?

No. If it trips again right away, leave it off and have the heater tested.

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