Electrical Problem

[jbilliel]

I had an above ground installed this year with the electrical done by a professional. There is a 70amp 240v dedicated circuit that runs to a subpanel outside with dedicated circuits for the pool pump and heat pump.

The last week every day I come home and the main breaker in the house is in the half way tripped status where it doesn't trip all the way to off although power has been killed. All the breakers in the sub-panel are not tripping and the GFCI's are not tripping. What has me stumped is why would the breaker in the house trip and not the breaker in the subpanel? Given that its a soft trip perhaps the main breaker in my house panel is just faulty?

Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Jeremy,

How big is the main panel breaker that is tripping?

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[jbilliel]

70amp on 4 ga wire

 

[ajw22]

What model AquaComfort Heat Pump?

What specific devices are powered by the subpanel? Hayward pump + AquaComfort Heat Pump + ?

Is the 70 amp breaker in the main panel AFCI or GFCI?

Post a pic of the 70 am breaker and the subpanel breakers.

 

[sktn77a]

Sounds like you need to upgrade the main panel to accommodate the additional 70amp circuit for the pool(?)

 

[jbilliel]

I will get a picture tonight, but the only things on the sub panel is the heat pump and a 1.5hp Hayward pump

 

[jbilliel]

The home panel is 200amp and should have plenty of power to manage the pool and house. The main panel 200amp is not tripping, but the non-GFCI breaker in the main panel that is bringing power out to the pool

 

[jbilliel]

The only thing I can think of is the heat pump is drawing too much power due to some kind of internal issue

 

[ajw22]

You need to put a clamp-on ammeter on the HP electrical line and see what it is drawing.

What size CB's do the pump and HP have in the subpanel?

 

[jbilliel]

The Pool pump is 15amp and the heat pump is 50a 240v

 

[jbilliel]

Correction - the Hayward pump is 20amp

 

[ajw22]

You have no convenience outlet on the subpanel?

 

[jbilliel]

There is another 20amp plug as well, but it’s not being used.

 

[ajw22]

You have a 70 amp CB on each side of the sub panel feed. I would notify the electrican and have him replace the breaker that is tripping. It may be defective and too sensitive. He can also look and see if there is something amiss in the CBs panel connection.

 

[jbilliel]

I agree. That has to be the issues. I just checked the amperage of the pool pump and it’s only drawing 12 amps so that is well within the normal range. I will need to get an ammeter and test the heat pump, but if that checks out then it has to be the breaker in the house that needs to be replaced