Why does GFCI pop when switched on?

What Trips?

• the "Actual" electrical circuit breaker?
  
  • Is it GFCI Style?

or...

• Is the high limit switch tripping?,
  • which isn't actually a breaker.
• A circuit breaker is a breaker that toggles as a switch, and to reset it you have to switch the toggle switch ALL the way to Off position to reset, then switch it to on.
  • Same thing if it were a GFCI style, it just has a 'Test' button on the body of the breaker, that button is usually a white rectangular button.
• Some systems have a GFCI breaker that looks totally differnent from above... It's located on the control system itself, very similar to what you may have in your bathroom or kitchen of your home! It will have a 'Test' button AND a 'Reset' button.

A High Limit Switch, acts like a breaker, as it will trip when it senses a temperature greater that it is set for as a safe temperature. Once that temp is breached, it will trip.

So... Which one is tripping for you? What are you resetting to turn it back on?
if circuit breaker, it has nothing to do with the 100 degree temp you mentioned. If that trips,= electrical problem, either a short or overheated electrical appliance (internal wires) aging motor pulling too much current, loose electrical connections generate heat, etc.
if High Limit, then possible overheat of water? Many times, failed thermostat. I already know what you're thinking... But I never saw water get Hot! But... Many times that IS just the case , it's just you never noticed the water hot, and it has been cooling down when you saw it.

Two things you might check are the circuit breaker panel and the GFCI reset button. When I first got my pop up it was the GFCI and took me 2 days to figure it out.

You said "...turned vacation switch back on". In fact, it should be turned off for normal use.

If that's not the problem, and it's plugged into a GFCI outlet, press the RESET button (do not press the "test" button).

If still no joy, plug something else into that outlet to see if it works. If it doesn't, check the circuit breaker for that outllet.

Make sure it's getting power, and that the "vacation" switch isn't on.

If on a GFCI outlet, press the RESET button - Do Not press the "test" button. If GFCI is located upstream on another outlet, or the breaker (not uncommon), try resetting the breaker or that other outlet.

If still no joy, check that the outlet is hot by plugging something else into it. If that item doesn't work either check the circuit breaker for that outlet by moving the lever all the way to the Off position, then back to the On position. You should hear a click like a light switch.

http://waterheatertimer.org/Color-codewire.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-circuit-breaker.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-wire-GFCI.html

What type breaker?
GFCI or ordinary heat-rated breaker?

Do NOT use two GFCIs on same circuit.
Spa needs GFCI to protect people while immersed in water.

You might have dangerous short, or leaking element, bad switch, bad wiring, bad electrical connection, or undersized wire and breaker.
If breaker is undersized for load, it can get loose on the busbar and then start arcing, and then tripping. Use nose to smell for burning. Feel breakers to see if they are warm. Move wire to different same-size breaker.

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

10-23-12
Your tank has a GFCI circuit breaker?
Maybe you mean ECO reset button located on upper thermostat?

If GFCI circuit breaker is tripping, turn power off, open covers inspect for burned parts, and test elements. Copy following link for troubleshoot walk-thru:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html#trip-breaker

If ECO reset button is tripping, then replace both thermostats, and test elements.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Question posted under MP3 player?
You have wall switch.
You have a short circuit.
Unknown what reset is being pushed.
Is this a GFCI reset?
Is this a switch-outlet GFCI combo?
What happens when your switch 'goes off?'
Do you mean that the light connected to the switch turns off?

What happens when wall switch is set to off position?
Can the reset be reset successfully when switch is OFF?

Add a comment and include more details about the type of switch, and type of reset button, and include if this is new installation or if the device worked before and started tripping, for best possible help.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-wire-switches.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-wire-GFCI.html

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

There is a short, or GFCI outlet is bad.
Copy following links for help with GFCI:
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/GFCI-outlet-will-not-reset.pdf
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-wire-GFCI.html

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Hi Any time you turn on your machine, always open the steam knob and make sure that you have a full boiler by having water come out of the wand when you turn on the pump switch. Until you have water coming out your boiler is not full. If its not full maybe the heating element has nothing to heat. This is how heating elements get damaged. They will heat until they blow, then you will never have heat. Make sure that you have water in the boiler, please. If it still doesn't heat, your thermostat may have tripped or your thermal fuse might have blown, or your board is shot. Now if your talking about the GFCI in the wall, there is a reset button on the GFCI that controls the outlet your machine is plugged into, or should be. Make sure that you have power to your outlet.

Hello avid.....

If there is no power to the receptacles:

1. Turn the circuit breaker switches off and disconnect all electrical loads from the generator.

2. Turn the circuit breakers on and test the GFCI's by following the procedures in this manual

on page 1 -

TO TEST A GFCI:

Start the generator. Turn the auto idle switch off. Push in the TEST button (A) on the receptacle.

The RESET button (B) will pop out. Power is now off at the receptacle.

If the RESET button does not pop out, the GFCI is not working. Do not run

generator until the problem can be corrected. To restore power to receptacle,

push the RESET button in. If the RESET button pops out during operation,
stop the generator and check the generator and equipment for defects.

3. Place the voltage selector to the 120 Volt only positions (unless you are using a tool that

requires 240 Volts).

4. Turn the idle control switch off.

5. Turn the circuit breaker(s) off and reconnect the electrical loads. Be sure that the plugs are

securely connected to the receptacles.

6. Turn the circuit breaker(s) on.

7. If there is still no power at the receptacles, take the generator to an authorized DEWALT
service center. To locate a DEWALT service center nearest to you, call 1-800-4-DEWALT

Joe

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