Low Voltage Circuit Breaker Tripped While Only the Switch for the Control Panel is ON

[Fedorafan]

I haven’t opened the pool for the last two years, but when I tried to do so this morning, I encountered a problem with the Pentair i10 panel.

Specifically, the Electronics Low Voltage Circuit Breaker on the panel tripped when I turned on the switch for the Pentair system itself (all other switches were in the OFF position at the time).

I also heard the indoor control panel beep for a few seconds before the breaker tripped, but when I got there, I just saw a bright screen with nothing readable on it.

I’m a bit confused about what could be causing this. Does anyone have an idea what might be the issue? Thanks in advance!

 

[ajw22]

Have you opened up the panel to see if any rodents nested in the panel while it was idle for 2 years?

 

[Fedorafan]

Yes, i did, and it looks okay to me.

 

[ajw22]

What about the top section?

 

[ajw22]

What pool pumps do you have?

I want to note that all your circuits are 15 amps which is surprising for 240V pool pumps.

And none of your CB's are GFCI are required by current NEC for safety.

Electrical GFCI - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Fedorafan]

The pool and spa were built in 2006, and there are a total of five pumps. I’ve personally replaced two of the pumps, upgrading them from single-speed to variable-speed models.

When I turned on the switch for the panel itself, all the other switches were OFF, so I assume this issue isn’t related to the pumps.

 

[Fedorafan]

I did open the top panel, and it looks clean as well.

 

[ajw22]

I did open the top panel, and it looks clean as well.

Show me the panel and board as that is where your problems likely are.

@ogdento may be of help.

 

[ajw22]

The pool and spa were built in 2006, and there are a total of five pumps. I’ve personally replaced two of the pumps, upgrading them from single-speed to variable-speed models.

When I turned on the switch for the panel itself, all the other switches were OFF, so I assume this issue isn’t related to the pumps.

Okay, you don't care about NEC requirements or GFCI safety. Nuff said.

 

[Fedorafan]

It is not that i don't care about the NEC requirements or GFCI safety. I just never opened the panel before...

Here are the few photos of the top panel.

 

[ajw22]

The pool and spa were built in 2006, and there are a total of five pumps. I’ve personally replaced two of the pumps, upgrading them from single-speed to variable-speed models.

What are the pump models of the VS pumps you installed?

 

[ajw22]

Do you have a multimeter and know how to check voltages?

Move those warning stickers away and show another pic of the board so we can see all the sockets.

 

[Fedorafan]

I’m not an electrician, but I’m fairly handy and have some experience using a multimeter. Last week, while preparing to open the pool, I noticed that one of the junction boxes connected to both the pool pump and the pool robot pump was missing its top plugs (inserts). This allowed rainwater to enter the junction box directly. I’m not entirely sure why this happened, as we bought the house a few years ago and have used the pool for two summers without issue. The pool was closed by a pool company two years ago, and we haven’t used it since then.

Upon discovering the problem last week, I removed the conduits connected to that junction box and found that all the wires inside were completely soaked in water. I plan to replace the wires, conduits, and possibly the junction box itself.

BUT, right now the issue seems to have nothing to do with the pumps? (Since all the switches except the switch for the panel itself were in the OFF position when the circuit breaker tripped)

The original pump was a Sta-Rite model (I don’t recall the exact model), and I replaced the motors with V-Green 165 motors (link Century (A.O. Smith) 1.65 HP Motor, V-Green, Square Flange 48Y, Variable Speed - Model ECM16SQU - INYOPools.com )

I have included more photos for top panel, thanks

 

[ajw22]

Unplug this connector from your board.

If the breaker still trips then the problem is in your transformer.

If the breaker stays on then it shows the problem is with the board and we can discuss next steps.

 

[Fedorafan]

Hmm, I unplugged the black connector, and now the panel seems to have lost power completely—no lights are coming on when i turn on the panel switch

 

[ajw22]

Hmm, I unplugged the black connector, and now the panel seems to have lost power completely—no lights are coming on when i turn on the panel switch

That is to be expected since you unplugged the power to the board.

Did the breaker reset and stay closed?

 

[Fedorafan]

The breaker on the panel stays in place (I manually reset the breaker to its normal position before turning the switch on).

Pardon me if I’m wrong, but I’m thinking the breaker should be staying put because there’s no power at all?

 

[ogdento]

if the breaker didn't trip (as Allen is asking above)... shut it down again, unplug both of the black terminal blocks on your two comm ports, and then power up again... the outdoor panel won't be able to talk to any other equipment but let's see if it stays up

 

[ajw22]

Pardon me if I’m wrong, but I’m thinking the breaker should be staying put because there’s no power at all?

There was power into the transformer which is on the right side of the upper panel.

@ogdento gave you the next steps and can take it from here.

Good luck.

 

[Fedorafan]

@ajw22 Thank you so much for your help, I really appreciate it!

Just to confirm, the next steps for me are:
1. Leave the black connector unplugged.
2. Unplug both of the black terminal blocks on the comm ports (marked in the green rectangle). Just to clarify, do I simply unplug them using force, or is there any need to unscrew anything?