Hayward 11K spa heater tripping GFCI breaker

[Wizzard]

Hello everyone, been lurking a while and have learned a lot since getting a new to us house with pool/spa, thank you.

The dedicated 60A gfci breaker that goes to the Hayward CSPAX11 external spa heater is tripping instantly when I flip that breaker, this even happens with the dial on the heater casing turned to the positive Off position. It tripped upon first use but then stayed on after resetting the breaker. Now it trips instantly all the time.

-I replaced GFCI breaker, still trips instantly.
-I checked wiring at panel and all looks well. Neutral lead on the breaker itself is not used, but the neutral wire coming off the GFCI breaker is connected to neutral bar on panel.

I have not opened up the heater casing yet to inspect. Heater is ~7 years old. I do know it has two 5,500K heating elements.

Any suggestions on what to test next? Could it be a bad heating element?

 

[kimkats]

I don't know so here is a bump to get this in front of more eyes.

 

[Jimrahbe]

wiz,

The most likely problem is a bad heater element.. I am not familiar with your specific unit, but the first step, if possible, is to remove the leads from the heater elements and see if it still trips.

Thanks for posting,

Jim R.

I looked at the manual and it appears you just take off the side/top panel and the elements are right on the top.

http://images.inyopools.com/cloud/documents/cz-11-instruction-sheet.pdf

 

[Wizzard]

Thank you, I will disconnect the heating elements and try the breaker