Plugging in heater trips the breaker- but resistance of element is in spec?

[Inthebay]

Hi everyone! New here, and hoping I can get some insight as to what may be happening with my new (to me) hot tub.

Control system is a Balboa BP7 with the 4.0kW 240v heater - manual here: https://www.balboawatergroup.com/getdoc.cfm?id=2484
Control panel is the TP600 - Manual here: https://www.clearwaterspas.com/wp-content/uploads/TP600-Manual-Clearwater-1-1-14.pdf

The heater resistance is speced as 15ohm, I measured 15.6ohm.

If I disconnect the heater plug from the mainboard, the tub boots up and runs the pump/all other features as expected. However plugging in the heater immediately causes the 50a breaker to trip.

Error message at startup w/plug removed is 'RUN PMPS PURG AIR - which appears to be a M016 error 'There may not be enough water flow through the heater to carry heat away from the heater, heater start up delayed 1 min'
Letting the pump run for a few minutes and all appears normal. Jets work, water flows, filters are not plugged. Even with filters removed this still occurs.

If anyone has other ideas for what I could check/test here, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Lastly, the troubleshooting manual is here: https://balboawater.com/getdoc.cfm?id=1800

 

[Jimrahbe]

I,

The problem is not the end to end resistance, it is the power to ground resistance...

It takes very little leaking current to pop a GFCI breaker.

I would replace the heater.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[1poolman1]

Hi everyone! New here, and hoping I can get some insight as to what may be happening with my new (to me) hot tub.

Control system is a Balboa BP7 with the 4.0kW 240v heater - manual here: https://www.balboawatergroup.com/getdoc.cfm?id=2484
Control panel is the TP600 - Manual here: https://www.clearwaterspas.com/wp-content/uploads/TP600-Manual-Clearwater-1-1-14.pdf

The heater resistance is speced as 15ohm, I measured 15.6ohm.

If I disconnect the heater plug from the mainboard, the tub boots up and runs the pump/all other features as expected. However plugging in the heater immediately causes the 50a breaker to trip.

Error message at startup w/plug removed is 'RUN PMPS PURG AIR - which appears to be a M016 error 'There may not be enough water flow through the heater to carry heat away from the heater, heater start up delayed 1 min'
Letting the pump run for a few minutes and all appears normal. Jets work, water flows, filters are not plugged. Even with filters removed this still occurs.

If anyone has other ideas for what I could check/test here, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Lastly, the troubleshooting manual is here: https://balboawater.com/getdoc.cfm?id=1800

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