Kenmore
Electrical Overload or Short Circuit
Kenmore water heater trips the circuit breaker repeatedly
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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, damaged wiring, undersized breaker, water intrusion into electrical compartment, failed control board
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: Do not keep resetting a tripping breaker. Turn it OFF and investigate. 240V can be lethal.
- Inspect wiring: With power OFF, remove access panels and check for burned wires, loose connections, or signs of arcing. Repair or replace damaged wiring.
- Test elements: Disconnect wires from each element and test resistance to ground. Any continuity to the tank indicates a shorted heating element that must be replaced.
- Check moisture: Look for water leaks near electrical components. Fix leaks and dry all connections thoroughly.
- Verify breaker size and wire gauge: Ensure the breaker and wiring match the heater’s nameplate rating.
- Control board: If wiring and elements are good, the main control board may be shorted and require replacement.
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Repair Difficulty
Hard
4/5
Required Part
Heating Element
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