| This is probably the number
two most common cause of GFCI tripping. Because of the nature of
the plumbing associated with blowers, they are extremely vulnerable to
water feeding back through the air tubes, and into the motor itself.
When this happens, the GFCI should detect the electrical current going
to ground inside the motor, and automatically disconnect the power.
Unfortunately for the blower, by the time that this happens, it is time
to replace it. Blower
Motor replacement section.
The other problem with GFCI
tripping on wet blower motors, is that it may not be consistent.
If the water that has entered the blower cavity is relatively clean and
free of sanitizer residue, then the tripping may cease once the blower
has dried out.
 |
|
| From the business end, this
blower appears normal... |
But not from this end...
This is why the GFCI shuts down. The moment this blower is turned
on, it sucks the water straight into the motor assembly, creating a ground
fault. |
|
| Digital Spa Controls
Most controllers of this
type will automatically purge the blower air lines in an effort to ensure
the circulation, heating, and filtering of ALL of the water contained in
the spa. Typically it will turn on sometime in the filtering cycle,
like once an hour or half-hour for 30 seconds or so.
So, depending on the type,
brand, and firmware programming that is embedded in your controller, the
automatic purge cycle of the blower can sometimes trip the GFCI when you
least expect it.
To test this, simply unplug
the blower from the spa controller, and see if the GFCI stops tripping,
or, simply activate the blower manually and see if it trips the GFCI. |
|
| Air Button Spa Controls
There are two separate types
of these controls. One type will have a separate button for each
component of the spa, such as one for jets, one for the blower, etc.
The other is the "function" type of button that uses a single button for
both.
Multiple button controls;
One button for each device
Many spa controls are built
this way. Simply unplug the blower from the controller, and turn
on the GFCI. Operate all other spa equipment, including the heater.
If it doesn't trip the breaker, then you've isolated the ground fault problem,
and need to repair or replace the blower.
Single Button Controls;
"Function Select Types"
Below is an example of function
type spa side controls. One button is for function of the equipment,
and the other is for the spa light. The third "Morgan" spa brand
side control on the right is included because it has a third button to
control the speed of one of the pumps. However, most other Morgan
air button side controls will dedicate this third button to control the
blower speed instead.
On some spas, there may be
no side control panel, only a single air push button for function control
at the spa side.
The three spa control packs
pictured, Len Gordon, Morgan, and Brett Aqualine, are probably the most
popular function type spa controls ever produced.
Troubleshooting
This type of spa is controlled
by pushing the button multiple times to achieve the desired operation of
the equipment, jets or blower. The sequence of operation of this
type of spa control is normally:
| Press |
Action |
| First |
Jets and Blower
ON. |
| Second |
Jets Only ON.
Blower is OFF. |
| Third |
Blower Only
ON. Jets are OFF. |
| Fourth |
Jets and Blower
are OFF. |
This control system, when powered
up, may fool you into thinking that the pump is causing the GFCI to trip
off line. The best solution is to unplug the blower from the controller,
and cycle the controller through all of the positions. If the GFCI
doesn't trip off line, then you've found your problem.
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