Quick answer
An electric water heater that keeps tripping its breaker usually has a heating element that has shorted, often after it burned out from running dry or sediment buildup; loose or burned wires at the element or thermostat; a failed thermostat; or a worn breaker. Do not keep resetting it. Turn the breaker off and leave it off until the heater is checked. If the heater's own red reset button keeps tripping instead, that points to a thermostat or element too. Call (888) 217-6781 to reach a plumbing company taking calls in your ZIP.
Follow the short menu, then your 5-digit ZIP. The line goes quiet for a few seconds while it connects; stay on. If it does not connect, call once more: companies taking calls change minute to minute.
Written & reviewed by Marcus ReedIICRC WRT
Reviewed November 4, 2026· Next review May 2027
An electric water heater runs on a dedicated 240-volt circuit, usually 30 amps. When that breaker trips, current flowed where it should not.
Breaker vs Reset Button
| What trips | What it means |
|---|---|
| The breaker in the panel | Short or overload: element, wiring, or the breaker |
| The red reset button on the heater | Water got too hot: thermostat or element; see electric water heater reset button |
Common Causes
- 1A shorted heating element. Elements fail from sediment or from being powered with the tank not full; a failed element can short to the tank.
- 2Loose or burned wiring at the element terminals or thermostat, often from a loose screw that heated up.
- 3A failed thermostat that keeps the element on.
- 4Water reaching the wiring from a leak at the element gasket or tank.
- 5A worn breaker that trips below its rating.
Talk to a plumber about this
One call reaches a plumbing company taking calls in your ZIP.
What to Do
- Leave the breaker off. Repeated resets heat the wiring.
- Look for water at the base and around the access panels. If there is a leak, close the cold supply valve. See water heater shut-off valve.
- Have the elements and wiring tested. Testing requires removing the access panels on a live circuit, so most homeowners call.
Safety
Never turn the breaker back on with the access panels off, or after an element was replaced with the tank empty. Powering a dry element burns it out in seconds.
The Call
Call when the breaker trips again after one reset, or you see water or scorching at the panels. (888) 217-6781 connects you to a plumbing company taking calls in your ZIP. Follow the short menu, enter your 5-digit ZIP and stay on while it connects; if it does not connect, call once more, because the companies taking calls change minute to minute.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my water heater keep tripping the breaker?
A shorted heating element, loose or burned wiring, a failed thermostat, or a worn breaker. A leak reaching the wiring can also trip it.
Is it dangerous if my water heater trips the breaker?
It is the breaker doing its job. Keep it off until the fault is found; repeated resets can overheat the wiring.
What is the difference between the breaker and the reset button?
The breaker is in the electrical panel and protects the circuit. The red reset button on the heater is a high-limit switch that cuts heat if the water gets too hot.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Energy: storage water heaters
- Electrical Safety Foundation International: water and electrical safety
Methodology: How we source and verify data · Report an error
Disclaimer: HearthDry is an independent educational resource. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional, legal, or insurance advice. Consult licensed professionals before making decisions about your property or insurance claims.