hot tub fault tripping after switching on

[marc8]

installed a tub for m8 (second hand).

switch on tub runs for about 10 seconds then trips.

clamped up draw initially 3.3A -12.2A when heater kicks in.

disconnected heater unit IR test 400M ohms, 23 ohms heater resistance.

disconnect pump one hot tub will stay on, disconnect heater & leave pump one on hot tub will run but did trip once after about 20 mins.

pump one
checked capacitors 16m farad good, 40m farad good. checked windings brown to blue 11.08 ohms, black to blue 11.10 ohms. IR test to earth 400M ohms.

disconnect plugs for ozone still trips, blower still trips & light still trips.

my findings hot tub turns on timer runs down pump one starts draw around 3amps heater kicks in around 12amps then trips after about 2-3 seconds later thinking I have a earth fault under load or am I missing something ?

 

[UNG]

Just re read the OP and noticed it is second hand do you know what chemicals the previous owner has been using, if it was chlorine then you may find that a seal has rotted and leaking water into something when it is running
Bromine is much more friendly and doesn't cause as much damage as chlorine

 

[marc8]

Just re read the OP and noticed it is second hand do you know what chemicals the previous owner has been using, if it was chlorine then you may find that a seal has rotted and leaking water into something when it is running
Bromine is much more friendly and doesn't cause as much damage as chlorine

thanks will ask tomorrow when I am going round to take a look at the rest

 

[marc8]

Hi all
Well back today electrically disconnected heater from tub & installed link through fused spur to heater, turned on heater working but with earth clamp round L/N supply to tub 50.1ma whilst heater on.
So my guess although heater unit is heating & the IR test 400M ohm to earth & continuity of element 23.3 ohms.
The heater still has a problem any other ideas would be welcome before I swap heater unit ?

 

[Specialist]

Personally I'd make sure there was plenty of water in it & then let it run for a couple of hours to let the element boil the moisture off. Just keep a close eye on it & monitor the leakage current.

 

[marc8]

On now 60.1ma
Boiling it up can hear the sizzle & by natural heat trying to push water around

 

[marc8]

30 mins in 87.5ma

 

[telectrix]

30 mins in 87.5ma

at this rate you'll soon be able to boil a kettle on the leakage current.

 

[marc8]

at this rate you'll soon be able to boil a kettle on the leakage current.

Hi telectrix
Well heater is nice & hot but leakage is not so good at the tub at 87.7ma

 

[marc8]

might be new heater next week

 

[Specialist]

Expected it to go up first & then start dropping.
A few years back, I had a call to look at a Commercial cooker that had been stored in a garage for months while waiting to be installed.
When it was installed in the old peoples home, it tripped out when the oven was used.
Sparky on site disconnected & Meggered, no fault found. But it still tripped the RCD, So I got sent to look at it. I disconnected the oven elements & made up a cable to go to a non RCD supply & left it run, after a few minutes I tested the element & found leakage to Earth. We let it sit & cook while monitoring it, took over 4 hours before it was OK to use.
Has the increase in leakage started to level off yet ?

 

[marc8]

Expected it to go up first & then start dropping.
A few years back, I had a call to look at a Commercial cooker that had been stored in a garage for months while waiting to be installed.
When it was installed in the old peoples home, it tripped out when the oven was used.
Sparky on site disconnected & Meggered, no fault found. But it still tripped the RCD, So I got sent to look at it. I disconnected the oven elements & made up a cable to go to a non RCD supply & left it run, after a few minutes I tested the element & found leakage to Earth. We let it sit & cook while monitoring it, took over 4 hours before it was OK to use.
Has the increase in leakage started to level off yet ?

Only climbing moment ago 116ma

 

[marc8]

Well just turned off reconnect
Check continuity 23.6 as expected IR test to earth 168M ohms at this point.
116ma earth leak

 

[Specialist]

That sounds more like the element has been under water, rather than damp. Wonder if it came from an area that was flooded last year & that's why it was sold off.
Your friend may end up having to bite the bullet & fork out for a new element.
What's that been ? About an hour now, would have expected it to have started levelling off by now & then slowly decreasing over time.

 

[marc8]

That sounds more like the element has been under water, rather than damp. Wonder if it came from an area that was flooded last year & that's why it was sold off.
Your friend may end up having to bite the bullet & fork out for a new element.
What's that been ? About an hour now, would have expected it to have started levelling off by now & then slowly decreasing over time.

Over an hour now, ordering a new element today so hopefully by thursday will be fixed.
THanks for the help everyone

 

[Specialist]

Sorry you've had a wasted morning buddy.