Freeze sensor engaged - tripping breaker when manual timer turns on

[Taraeshaw]

Hello, we replaced our freeze sensor and had labeled wires so that we hopefully put everything back where it was wired before.
The freeze sensor tested fine and worked, however when engaged during a freeze, the manual switch timer turned on and shorted the system. Ultimately the manual timer would not turn on while the freeze sensor was also engaged.
If anyone has an idea what might cause this please?
In the picture the 2 red and 2 blue wires coming from the right are coming from the freeze guard.

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

What freeze sensor did you replace?

Show us pictures of the freeze sensor.

 

[1poolman1]

Hello, we replaced our freeze sensor and had labeled wires so that we hopefully put everything back where it was wired before.
The freeze sensor tested fine and worked, however when engaged during a freeze, the manual switch timer turned on and shorted the system. Ultimately the manual timer would not turn on while the freeze sensor was also engaged.
If anyone has an idea what might cause this please?
In the picture the 2 red and 2 blue wires coming from the right are coming from the freeze guard.

Try swapping the blue wires. You are, likely, "phase-to-phase" shorting the power.

 

[Taraeshaw]

Welcome to TFP.

What freeze sensor did you replace?

Show us pictures of the freeze sensor.

Hi, Thank you - It was a very old freeze sensor from when I bought the house and unfortunately I didn’t save it, it was broken and rusted. The new one looks the same, has the name freeze defender on the box (the old one was just a tan box) but looks the same inside.

 

[Taraeshaw]

Try swapping the blue wires. You are, likely, "phase-to-phase" shorting the power.

Thank you I will try this tomorrow - also noticed when we opened it up that the green wire was disconnected from the ground inside the freeze sensor box. Quite sure we had connected it so it may have slid out…

 

[1poolman1]

Thank you I will try this tomorrow - also noticed when we opened it up that the green wire was disconnected from the ground inside the freeze sensor box. Quite sure we had connected it so it may have slid out…

Be sure to hook the ground up properly first. That loose wire may be the problem.

 

[ajw22]

I think @1poolman1 nailed it...

Try swapping the blue wires. You are, likely, "phase-to-phase" shorting the power.

The red wire from L1 must connect to the screw next to the blue wire from T1. And L2 must connect next to T2.

We think you have red L1 and blue T2 connected on one side and red L2 and blue T1 connected on the other side.

 

[JamesW]

https://www.spacare.com/productimages/pdfmanuals/FS240VOLT.pdf

 

[JamesW]

Connect FREEZE PROTECTOR™ ground lug to time clock ground.

Connect L1 of F/P to LINE 1 of time clock.

Connect L2 of F/P to LINE 2 of time clock.

Connect T1 (Load 1) of F/P to Load 1 of time clock.

Connect T2 (Load 2) of F/P to Load 2 of time clock.

 

[JamesW]

TFP is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit that is maintained by user donations.

All of our content is free of advertisements.

Please consider donating at:

Become a TFP Supporter

Help Support TFP Trouble Free Pool is run by a dedicated group of volunteers that … Read more…

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Taraeshaw]

Be sure to hook the ground up properly first. That loose wire may be the problem.

Reconnected the ground and tested - same problem. Swapping the blue wires fixed it and all works well now! Thank you again we did verify we had red L1 and blue T2 connected on one side and red L2 and blue T1 connected on the other side.

 

[ajw22]

TFP is a member supported 501(c)3 non-profit that is volunteer staffed and has no ads. Your support keeps the servers running so we can be here to help you. It would be helpful if you considered supporting TFP so we can be here to help in the future....

Become a TFP Supporter

Help Support TFP Trouble Free Pool is run by a dedicated group of volunteers that … Read more…

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Taraeshaw]

I think @1poolman1 nailed it...

Try swapping the blue wires. You are, likely, "phase-to-phase" shorting the power.

The red wire from L1 must connect to the screw next to the blue wire from T1. And L2 must connect next to T2.

We think you have red L1 and blue T2 connected on one side and red L2 and blue T1 connected on the other side.

Thank you for the additional information we verified it was as you said and as the group suggested - swapping the blue wires resolved the issue. We had red L1 and blue T2 connected on one side and red L2 and blue T1 connected on the other side.

 

[Taraeshaw]

Connect FREEZE PROTECTOR™ ground lug to time clock ground.

Connect L1 of F/P to LINE 1 of time clock.

Connect L2 of F/P to LINE 2 of time clock.

Connect T1 (Load 1) of F/P to Load 1 of time clock.

Connect T2 (Load 2) of F/P to Load 2 of time clock.

View attachment 621031

Thank you I will label the wires in the freeze guard box and save this diagram! I appreciate it.