plyberent Report post Posted July 10, 2019 Need more help Every time I turn on my gas water heater the breaker in my panel trips when I turn it on the red light comes on but when it goes into ignite mode it trips the breaker Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaypsmith Report post Posted July 10, 2019 If you unplug the 12v feed wire from the igniter, does it still trip the breaker? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
huffypuff Report post Posted July 10, 2019 I don't understand how a 12 volt circuit would trip a 120 circuit? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
f433921 Report post Posted July 10, 2019 10 minutes ago, huffypuff said: I don't understand how a 12 volt circuit would trip a 120 circuit? Only way I can see that it could happen is if they are turning in on in the AC mode, not the propane mode, the electric element could be the causing the breaker to trip Jim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dickandlois Report post Posted July 10, 2019 The 12 volt system powers the water heater LP and 120 volt control systems. The original poster should be able to disable the 120 volt heating element to see if that keeps the 120 volt circuit breaker from tripping. If the ac power still trips - it sure sounds like a defective or short circuit in the 120 volt portion of the water heater system. Rich. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaypsmith Report post Posted July 10, 2019 Did the OP indicate whether the breaker was in 12V or 120V panel? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfe10 Report post Posted July 10, 2019 Assumption (and only an assumption-- there ARE exceptions): Breaker= 120 VAC Fuse= 12 VDC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rayin Report post Posted July 10, 2019 8 hours ago, wolfe10 said: Assumption (and only an assumption-- there ARE exceptions): Breaker= 120 VAC Fuse= 12 VDC If the 120VAC heating element is shorted, it WILL trip the breaker! I doubt it is 12VDC , unless the ignition element is shorted. re: breakers. Mine are nearly all circuit breakers, the only fuses I know of are 1. on fridge circuit board, 2. main fuse in battery compartment, 3. 2 fuses on HWH system, 4. each radio has a fuse in back. 5. microwave/convection oven has a fuse behind touch panel. 6. Ice maker has a fuseable link in wiring harness, if that counts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites