EcoSmart Overcurrent / Short Circuit Under Load

EcoSmart unit trips the breaker whenever hot water is used.

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Safety Warning

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.

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Possible Causes

Shorted heating element, Loose or shorted wiring at elements, Undersized breaker or wiring, Internal control board short

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety: Do not repeatedly reset a tripping breaker. Turn it OFF and investigate.

  • Visual inspection: With power OFF, remove the cover and inspect all high-current wiring and elements for signs of arcing or damage.
  • Test elements: Disconnect each element and test resistance between terminals and to ground. Replace any element that is shorted or has abnormally low resistance.
  • Check wiring size: Confirm that the breaker and wire gauge meet EcoSmart’s installation requirements. Upgrade if undersized.
  • Isolate fault: Reconnect elements one at a time, testing operation to identify which circuit causes the trip (if you are qualified to do so).
  • Board evaluation: If all elements and wiring are good, the control board may have an internal short and require replacement.
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Repair Difficulty

Hard 4/5

Required Part

Heating Element Assembly
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