Stiebel Eltron
Electrical Short or Ground Fault Under Load
Unit trips the circuit breaker or RCD/GFCI when 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
Heating element insulation breakdown, Water leak onto live components, Damaged internal wiring, Incorrect breaker type or rating
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: Do not repeatedly reset a tripping breaker. Turn off power and water and investigate before reuse.
- Inspect for leaks: Remove the cover and look for any water near electrical components. Repair leaks and dry the unit thoroughly.
- Check wiring: Look for burnt, pinched, or loose wires, especially near heating elements and terminal blocks. Repair or replace damaged wiring.
- Test elements to ground: With power off and elements disconnected, measure resistance from each element terminal to ground. Any low resistance indicates a ground fault and the element must be replaced.
- Verify breaker type: Ensure the breaker and RCD/GFCI are correctly sized and compatible with the heater’s inrush and leakage characteristics as specified by Stiebel Eltron.
- Professional service: Because of shock and fire risk, have a qualified electrician or technician complete repairs and verify safe operation.
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Repair Difficulty
Professional Required
5/5
Required Part
Heating Element Assembly / Internal Wiring
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