Lochinvar Electrical Short / Overcurrent

Lochinvar electric water heater trips the circuit breaker or blows fuses.

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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 insulation, Incorrect breaker size, Water intrusion into junction box

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety: Turn off the breaker and verify power is off with a meter before opening any covers. Water and electricity are a dangerous combination.

Steps:

  • 1. Inspect wiring: Remove the upper access panel and junction box cover. Look for burned wires, loose connections, or signs of water leaks.
  • 2. Test elements: Disconnect wires from each heating element and test for continuity to ground. Any element showing continuity to the tank is shorted and must be replaced.
  • 3. Verify breaker size: Confirm the breaker and wire gauge match the Lochinvar nameplate amperage requirements.
  • 4. Repair and retest: Replace any shorted elements and damaged wiring, then restore power and monitor for normal operation.
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Repair Difficulty

Hard 4/5

Required Part

Heating Element
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