A.O. Smith Electrical Overload or Short Circuit

A.O. Smith water heater trips the electrical breaker repeatedly

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

Possible Causes

Shorted heating element, Damaged wiring, Incorrect breaker size, Water intrusion into electrical compartment

Safety: Leave the breaker off until the fault is found. Risk of fire or shock.

1. Inspect junction box: With power off, check for loose wires, burnt insulation, or water inside the heater's junction box.
2. Test elements: Disconnect wires from each element and test resistance to ground. Replace any element that is shorted.
3. Check wiring: Inspect wiring from panel to heater for damage. Repair or replace as needed.
4. Verify breaker size: Ensure the breaker and wire gauge match the heater's nameplate rating.

Hard 4/5

Heating Elements

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