Why is my GFCI tripping with 1 of my 2 elements?

[CanAm]

It's a new system that I used for the first time last week without any problems.

-30A 220V GCFI in the panel
-Two 5500 ULWD camco elements (one for HLT and one for BK)
-Auber PID and 40A SSR
-Auber RTDs
-Brew hardware element enclosure with ground screw.

Today I had a chance to auto tune the PID (didn't have time to before my first brew day. Auto tune or brew? I chose brew!)

So as soon as I turn on my control panel with one of the two elements it trips the breaker and shuts every thing down. Turn off control panel, reset breaker, try again and breaker trips. When I switch out the elements everything performs flawlessly. Auto tuned to precise control.

Switch back to the first element, refill HLT with water and breaker trips again. Turn off control box, unplug bad element, reset breaker, turn on control box and try plugging in bad element. Arc and spark and GFCA trips.

What's going on?

 

[Maxkling]

Switch back to the first element, refill HLT with water and breaker trips again. Turn off control box, unplug bad element, reset breaker, turn on control box and try plugging in bad element. Arc and spark and GFCA trips.

What's going on?

Sounds like the GFI is working.

Since you already isolated the issue, I would start checking the connections on the cord, connections, plugs, and outlets of that element. Then ohm out the element.

 

[biertourist]

Yep GFCI is working. I'd guess you've got a short between one of the wires inside of your BrewHardware element cover and the element cover itself. (As I had this problem multiple times after I first wired mine.)

Start checking continuity across everything in the element; pop that element cover open (obviously with the power off).


Just be glad you listened to all the advice here and you used GFCI and you used your grounding screws, etc... You could've just shocked the crap out of yourself rather than popping the breaker.


Adam

 

[CanAm]

Mystery solved - the elent had come loose from the housing and water got in.

So can I dry it out and use it again, or is the element shot?

 

[CanAm]

And +1 for the GFCI!

 

[processhead]

Mystery solved - the elent had come loose from the housing and water got in.

So can I dry it out and use it again, or is the element shot?

I would dry it off and maybe put it in a warm (not hot) oven for an hour.

Then fire it up and see if the GFCI hangs in there.