In normal conditions the sides and back of the breaker get warmer than the knob.
Hot water heater breaker box.
You noticed your electric water heater tripped the circuit breaker.
And this is when a breaker comes to the rescue and stops the flow of current in water heater as a safety precaution.
Your water heater trips the circuit breaker in your house.
A gas water heater needs a 30 inch by 30 inch area per international residential code irc m1305 1 2 and an electric water heater has the same 30 inch by 36 inch requirement as an an electrical panel per national electrical code nec 110 26 a.
So why s this happening.
Breaker breaker there are three possible explanations for a breaker being tripped by a hot water heater.
Has this ever happened to you.
The buildup of pressure and temperature could cause the water heater to malfunction and even blow up in extreme cases.
Beyond a water heater permit some areas may also require either an electric or plumbing permit depending on the type of water heater.
The heat inside a breaker is generated by electrical resistance as power passes through the contacts and the bimetal trip device.
There service areas of panel and water heater can overlap of course.
So you go and reset the circuit breaker.
But then a little later your water heater s circuit breaker tripped again.
Breaker is warm to the touch re.
So you went to your electrical panel and reset the breaker.
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Having an electric breaker is extremely important to protect your water heater from any damage.
The most likely causes are.
Then after a few.
Water dripping on the electrical lines a problem with the unit s thermostat or a problem.
Does warmth indicate a possible fire hazard.
Standard breakers should get no hotter than 90 degrees fahrenheit or 50 degrees celsius above the ambient temperature.
Burnt out heating element.
20 amp breaker in inside box which controls power to 110 hot water heater only is warm to the touch.