Pool Pump tripping breaker

RhinebeckDude

My in-ground pool pump is causing my circuit to trip. Its been rainy and damp here for the last week. I reset the breaker and the pump will run for about 10-20 seconds and then trip again. Pump is about 5 years old. I'm debating whether anything is to be gained from disassemblying the pump and seeing if the impeller is clogged? I'm guessing the breaker is not the fault? Replacing the pump looks to be about a $300 investment.

Can anyone offer some guidance?

curiousB

Is it a GFCI circuit? Just wondering if the breaker is tripping due to over current or ground fault (due to wet weather)?

creeper

If the impeller were clogged you would just experience low flow to your return.

RhinebeckDude

Yes, there is a GFCI which is tripping. I thought I read on the forum that clogged impeller might generate overloads to trip the GFCI as well? It just ran now for about 15 mins before tripping again...for last 4 days it wouildn't stay on for more than 10-20 secs.

dmxtothemax

Its more likely to be a leakage to ground from the pump motor.
Could be because of the high moisture.
If high moisture is a problem,
you might need to use a totally sealed type motor.

joecaption

GFI's do not trip from over loads, breakers do that.
There's a short to ground causing it to trip.
Does the outlet have a cover over it?
Is the gasket intact?
It should have something like this over it.
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...&storeId=10051

dmxtothemax

post 4 states there is a gfci that is tripping !
Some motors will develop leaks to ground when used
in a high moisture / humidity enviroment.
Using a totally sealed motor is best in these enviroments.

curiousB

A gfci plug only trips due to a fault current. A gfci breaker trips due to either a ground fault current or a circuit over current.

You need to know which is happening. My guess, because this episode is happening coincident with wet weather, is you have a ground fault due to moisture. That could be a faulty pump motor or just moisture at the connections. Try opening up the cover where the wire nuts are and letting it dry out.

biggles

the windings are wet if it was shorted winding it would trip right off on start..sun will dry it maybe consider a cover for it if it is the rainy season there...GFI is doing it's job

RhinebeckDude

Thanks to each for your comments. For some reason, it started yesterday and continue to run. I hadn't noticed wetness inside the timer box or on the sealed plug connector,,,where that wire connects into the back of the pump motor I noticed it didn't have a sag to it may have contributed to water running down the wire into motor connections,,I did reseat this so that a drip-loop now exists. I'm guessing might have helped....and I now have a tarp over the beast and will likely form a shed around this stuff.

But, it appears I'm back in business and can proceed to closing the pool.