Breaker Trips - New Pump, New Breaker, Working Fine until Tropical Storm Henri

[Riverhouse]

I am having trouble finding the source that causes the breaker to trip.

Prior to the storm on Friday, upon learning that 6 inches of rain were expected, I ran the pump to backwash, rinse, then waste, to lower the water level by about 4 inches.

I left the pump off and the waste hose connected, in case the water level became too high, in order that I could restart the pump and drain more.

As the water level became too high, I went to turn on the pump, intending to drain a couple more inches of water.

Turning on the pump immediately tripped the breaker.

The pump timer will run and not trip the breaker. Now, plugging in the pump trips the breaker.

The pump motor is covered by a pump cover, specifically to shield it from the weather. It stayed dry, with some condensation on the outside.

The pump is Pentair 342001 Superflo VS.

Breaker is General Electric THQB1120GF Ground Fault Circuit Breaker, 1-Pole, 20-Amp, 120V .

Timer, about 8 years old, is Intermatic T101R 120-Volt SPST 24 Hour Mechanical Time Switch with Outdoor Case, been working fine for six years.

I'm happy to try to self-diagnose, but also willing to call a pool store or an electrician. Not sure of the best option.

Thanks!

 

[Jimrahbe]

R,

My guess that you have moisture at some AC power connection point, or the pump is bad..

I see you say that you "plug" the pump in.. I'd want to open the plug end of the power cord and make sure there is no moisture inside.. If that looks good, I'd open the box where the cord is connected to the SuperFlo, and make sure it looked ok..

Then I would disconnect the hot lead right at the pump and (with everything else connected) I'd turn on the timer.. If nothing pops, something in the pump is bad.. If it does pop then something in the line between the Circuit Breaker and the disconnected hot line has to be bad.

Might also make sure that you can easily turn the impeller when the power is off.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Riverhouse]

As a follow up, in the event that it may help others: Gave one more try at plugging in it before disassembling the pump casing. Did not trip. Started the pump and it ran fine. My thought is that something in the pump or in the plug was wet after the history-making storm of two months worth of rain over one day. About 48 hours later, it had dried out.