GSW
Ground Fault / Electrical Leakage
GSW water heater trips the GFCI or AFCI outlet/breaker intermittently
Advertisements
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.
Advertisements
Possible Causes
Moisture in junction box, Element insulation breakdown, Damaged power cord, Control board leakage to ground
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: Do not bypass or replace a GFCI/AFCI with a standard breaker. Turn off power and investigate.
- Inspect for moisture: Check the top junction box and wiring compartments for water intrusion from leaks above. Dry thoroughly and repair leaks.
- Check power cord (if corded): Replace any cord with cuts or crushed insulation.
- Test elements to ground: With power off, measure resistance from each element terminal to the tank. Replace any element showing leakage.
- Control board: If wiring and elements are good, the control may be leaking to ground and should be replaced by a technician.
Advertisements
Repair Difficulty
Hard
4/5
Required Part
Heating Element
Check Price on Amazon
We may earn a commission from links on this page.
Advertisements