30A Inline GFCI just died, any ideas?

[Squeeky]

I have been using an inline 30A GFCI cable for several years, it has served me well, unit today. Each time I use the cord, I will do a test trip prior to connecting, and after connecting. Today was just like any other day, plugged into control panel, which has March pump built in. I was able to run the pump no problem, but as soon as I switched on one of the elements, it tripped.

EDIT: Just found out the main 220v breaker for the dryer outlet tripped as well. I thought the GFCI was supposed to trip if there was an issue and not the breaker as well.

The only problem is it will not reset now, I have even taken it apart to see if there were any burnt wires, or issues. Nothing out of place or smelling burnt.

This thing is the heart of my brewery Is there anything I should do further to test? The black button will push in but not hold.

I connect the cord to my home dryer outlet as it just inside from garage, if this thing really is dead. Should I just switch out the breaker in my main box with a GFCI one?

 

[Poobah58]

Do you have another element you can try it on? You're drawing too much current on at least one of the legs. Might have cooked the element whichin turn may have fried your GFCI...

 

[Squeeky]

Thats the weird thing, I ran the element last night and many times before, never had this issue. It will not reset even when the cord isn't connected. Running Camco 5500 ULWD. It was immediately after flipping the element on, I mean as soon as I switched to HLT element BAM.

 

[Brumateur]

Can you reset it when no load connected?

 

[Squeeky]

Nope, press in the black button it doesn't click. Even tried running just 110v off it with the button held in and no go. I've even got fuses off the main power switch and before the pump, either of those blew. It's very odd.

 

[dcarter]

I had the exact same cord. I had to replace it with a spa panel with a GFCI built in. Just cut the bad GFCI and wire the new panel in the space that it leaves.

 

[dcarter]

Here is a pic of how I replaced the GFCI, you can see the cord coming from my control panel and into the spa panel then the plug. The spa panel with the GFCI breaker was about 50 bucks.

 

[Squeeky]

Ok so I have no idea what I did, maybe it was me freaking out. However I just plugged the cord back in, and was able to reset.

I think it my haste as I had a stuff already going, I didn't try to reset the GFCI after switching the main dryer breaker back on.

My next question though if the inline GFCI tripped, then why would the outlet breaker trip as well?

Sorry for freaking out, there must be a short or something being grounded out. I'll have to take things apart and rewire the Camco.