Transformer tripping the breaker

I need help. Our breaker keeps tripping. We narrowed the problem down to the transformer (or so we thought) because it would work fine until the transformer was plugged in. We bought a new one and the problem is still happening. You plug in the transformer and the breaker trips. Any ideas on what might be wrong?

Posted by on 2006-09-09 18:08:03. (6939)

Hi Jedeemaa, We need more information <img src= " title="Very Happy" /> When you unplug a transformer, you turn off the flow to the rest of the system. Is this a new wiring of the spa? What model, and what year? Please let us know. " title="Wink" />

Posted by on 2006-09-09 22:12:42. (6944)

No, this is not a new wiring of the spa. The spa is a Catalina - I think 1996, with the Balboa brand wiring, circuit board, transformer, etc. We just put a new pump in as well, however the breaker trips with or with out the pump connected. If the transformer is plugged in and then we turn the power on the breaker trips. If the transformer is not plugged in, we can turn the power on and all is fine. And then when we plug the transformer in, the breaker immediately trips. This is what led us to believe we need a new transformer, however the problem still occurs with a new one.

Posted by on 2006-09-11 20:55:00. (6969)

Disconnect everything from the circuit board (pump, heater, light, ozonator, blower, etc...) and try the circuit board only (topside control attached) and see if it still trips. If it does, a new circuit board is in order. If not, hook up each item, one at a time, and see which causes the trip.

Posted by on 2006-09-11 23:25:33. Albert Lea, MN (6974)

Disconnecting all the outputs from the board is a proper step but when it still trips with all disconnected and then it holds with the transformer unplugged it is most likely an incorrectly wired GFCI.

The transformer is 120-volt in and 14-volts out. With a load neutral GFCI that is incorrectly wired as soon as you try to use anything that is 120-volt the breaker will snap.

I hope you did not buy a pc board.

Posted by on 2006-10-26 10:57:23. (7532)

Hi Jedeemaa, Your heater feeds off of one of the legs of your service. When the board powers up, it feeds a "Pilot Duty" leg of the power to the element, and the waits for the relays to call for heat to complete the service to the element. The heater terminals are "Hard Wired" to the board "Fingers", and may not be easily disconected. However, discontecting the heater will probably show up the fault. <img src= " title="Wink" />

Posted by on 2006-10-26 20:30:38. (7545)