Pool pump tripping the breaker
Updated : · Piscines VP
A tripping breaker is protecting you from a hazard. With a pool pump, common causes are moisture in the motor or connections, a faulty motor or capacitor, a seized motor drawing too much current, or a wiring problem. Don't reset it over and over: have an electrician or technician check it.
A tripping breaker is a safety device doing its job. With water around a pool, you don’t mess with that.
Common causes
| Cause | Clue |
|---|---|
| Moisture in the motor or junction box | Trips after rain or in the morning |
| Seized motor drawing too much current | Humming, pump doesn’t turn |
| Faulty capacitor | Hard start, humming |
| Damaged motor windings | Trips right at start-up, burning smell |
| Faulty wiring, outlet or breaker | Trips even with the pump unplugged, or randomly |
What to do
- Don’t reset it again and again.
- Leave the pump unplugged.
- Look for water in the junction box or under the motor. See Pump leaking water.
- Have it checked by an electrician (circuit) or a pool technician (motor).
Avoid
- Extension cords: never for a pool pump.
- Replacing a breaker with a bigger one “so it holds”.
See also Pool pump won’t start.
Frequently asked questions
Why does it only trip when it rains?
Water getting into the motor, junction box or an outdoor outlet trips the ground-fault protection. Have the electrical installation checked for water tightness.
Can I plug the pump in elsewhere to test it?
Not into an extension cord or an unprotected outlet. A pool pump must be on a compliant circuit with the protection required by the electrical code.
Not sure of the cause? Take the 2-question diagnosis →
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