Hot Tub Problem

pkmjm · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 2:02 pm Post Subject: Hot Tub Problem

Hi There,

I wonder if you would be able to help me with a problem with our hot tub.

We have had our hot tub for about a year and a half and everything has worked fine. But last week the mcb to the hot tub kept tripping and I'm not sure why.

When you reset the mcb the hot tub will have power and all the jets etc work fine, but when it has finished it's priming cycle and (I assume) the motor kicks in the mcb trips out.

Do you think the motor might be faulty, or could there be another reason. Any advise would be appreciated

bongos · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 2:47 pm Post Subject:

What size/type of cable has the hot tub been installed on? Is it on its own circuit?

What is its power rating of the hot tub? What size is the MCB protecting the circuit?

Was there any paperwork supplied when you had it installed?

Much more info needed! If you can post a pic of your CU then this would also help.

Taylortwocities · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 4:11 pm Post Subject: Re: Hot Tub Problem

He said

pkmjm wrote:

We have had our hot tub for about a year and a half and everything has worked fine. But last week the mcb to the hot tub kept tripping and I'm not sure why.

Bongos, so that would imply the problem is not due to overload!

Are you absolutley sure the thing that trips is an MCB?
Perhaps it is an RCD or RCBO.

Does it have a test button on it? what is written on it?
Does it say BS61009-1 or BS61008-1??
Post a picture.

__________________
TTC

When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. - F.D.R.

pkmjm · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 5:51 pm Post Subject:

Hi and thanks for your reply's

I hope these pictures help

This is the small fuse box near to the hot tub, the mcb that trips to the right of the Red switch

Fuse Box Next to Hot Tub

These are of the main fuse box in the house

Fuse Box House

Spark123 · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 6:02 pm Post Subject:

The device which is tripping is an RCBO which is an MCB combined with an RCD.
This means the problem could be associated with an earth leakage as opposed to an overcurrent.
I take it the motor works during priming?
Could be the heating element has gone down.

btw whoever installed the main consumer unit needs to look at section 314 of the regs - it doesn't comply having all the lights and sockets on a single RCD.
It wouldn't have been rocket science to put lights on RCBOs on the other side of the board.

electronicsuk · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 6:02 pm Post Subject:

Those are RCBOs, not MCBs, and they combine the function of an RCD and MCB into a single unit. Chances are that water/dampness has worked its way into some electrical part in the hot tub, causing an earth fault and the RCBO to trip. Best not to use it at all until you can get it checked over and sorted out.

__________________
Matthew

"I told you, I only wrote that poem to test my printer!"

flameport · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 6:03 pm Post Subject:

That device is an RCBO, so the problem is most likely an earth fault within the hot tub. Probably the heating element.

Taylortwocities · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 7:13 pm Post Subject:

HA just as i thought!

__________________
TTC

When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. - F.D.R.

pkmjm · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 7:50 pm Post Subject:

Thanks to everyone who posted a reply.

I have arranged for an electrician to take a look.

sparkysm · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:03 pm Post Subject:

sparky123 how can you say the installation doesn`t comply when you know nothing about the installation, at least ask questions before slagging off someone elses work....how do you know it doesn`t comply?????

333rocky333 · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:12 pm Post Subject:

Spark123 wrote:

btw whoever installed the main consumer unit needs to look at section 314 of the regs - it doesn't comply having all the lights and sockets on a single RCD.

pkmjm wrote:

These are of the main fuse box in the house

Fuse Box House

Spark123 · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 5:06 pm Post Subject:

Do you think that complies with section 314 of the regs sparkysm?

pkmjm · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 1:42 pm Post Subject:

Just an update

I have now found that the problem was due to a faulty ozone generator.

Thank you for your help and advise.

pkmjm · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 2:10 pm Post Subject:

Spark123 wrote:

Do you think that complies with section 314 of the regs sparkysm?

Hi Spark123,

I had a word with my electrician regarding your comments about the new consumer unit.

I won't print everything he said, as there could be children reading this. But his main point was the each of the curcuits is protected by an RCBO and this meets all relevant regs.

electronicsuk · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 3:13 pm Post Subject:

pkmjm wrote:

Spark123 wrote:

Do you think that complies with section 314 of the regs sparkysm?

Hi Spark123,

I had a word with my electrician regarding your comments about the new consumer unit.

I won't print everything he said, as there could be children reading this. But his main point was the each of the curcuits is protected by an RCBO and this meets all relevant regs.

Sorry, but your electrician seems to be talking bull, as the main fuse box picture does not show ANY RCBOs at all. It's a split load board with a single RCD and main switch, and there is almost no way to install one of these (without RCBOs) and have a compliant installation since the 17th edition of BS7671 came into force.

__________________
Matthew

"I told you, I only wrote that poem to test my printer!"