Block heater trips breaker

[4get gto]

Is it a GFI breaker?

Crystal has a point. Heck I have a coffee pot that doesn't like a GFI.

 

[JMarchant]

It doesn't look easy to get into the heater to replace the cord. Yes the breaker is GFI. Maybe just time to buy a new heater?

 

[yomax4]

I had the same issue on a newer 20 amp circuit. Even drove to my neighbors new shop. same thing. We pulled my heater out of the hose and the element was just hanging there. Installed a new heater and all is well.

 

[marchanna]

It doesn't look easy to get into the heater to replace the cord. Yes the breaker is GFI. Maybe just time to buy a new heater?

It sounds like the heater or the cord is your problem. You should be able to replace either individually. The cord can crack or split causing a trip, or the resistance wire can burn through to the outer tube also causing a trip.

 

[JMarchant]

I agree - thanks to all!

 

[Doofy]

I would start by plugging it into another circuit. Preferably one with a gfi. If it pops the breaker then the circuit is overloaded. If it pops the gfi then there is a short in the heater and/or it痴 power cable.

Now that sounds Genius. Never thought to troubleshoot that way.

 

[My Gym]

Loose connections on outlets and circuit breakers can cause breakers to trip. Arc fault protection. All it takes is someone not tighten a connection. Since he replaced outlet and breaker, not the problem. Most likely problem is that the heater warms up, expands and and shorts out. It will test good with a meter and will only fail when it heats up. Replace the heater.

 

[CincyFlyer]

I would start by plugging it into another circuit. Preferably one with a gfi. If it pops the breaker then the circuit is overloaded. If it pops the gfi then there is a short in the heater and/or it痴 power cable.

Actually, if it pops the GFCI then there is a ground fault. A short will pop the breaker.

 

[marchanna]

A small short that is insufficient to pop the breaker will trip the GFI. That could be a short to neutral or a fault to ground because the gfi monitors the load across hot to neutral and trips if there is a variance. These are super sensitive and will trip before a breaker will.

So yes, I agree you are correct, but the real world dynamics of how they work allow you to investigate as I stated.

 

[4get gto]

Actually, if it pops the GFCI then there is a ground fault. A short will pop the breaker.

What happens when it pops a groundfault breaker? Is it a short or ground?