Dishwasher Breaker Keeps Tripping: What to Do?

Dishwashers draw a lot of breakers. So much so that sometimes it even trips circuit breakers if those are not good enough. It is important to know why it may be tripping the breaker so much.

If your dishwasher keeps tripping the breaker, there are one of several reasons behind it. It could be that the outlet is cheap or the tripper keeps breaking from overload.

Key Takeaway:

Dishwasher Keeps Tripping Breaker: Underlying Causes (Solutions Added!)

Having a dishwasher that keeps tripping the breaker can be cause for concern. It always has some underlying electrical issues. Identifying the cause behind it is the first step in resolving any tripping issue.

Here are some common issues that make the dishwasher trip the circuit breaker:

Shared Circuit and Power Overload

This is a no-brainer. If your dishwasher is sharing the circuit with other appliances it will over the breaker and cause it to trip. The average American households have a 240 Volts circuit.

If the total amount of power drawn is more than this, it will overload the circuit. As the dishwasher draws more power to complete the wash cycle it needs a dedicated circuit for it.

Solution:

The best solution is to give the power-hungry appliances individual circuits. It will heavily reduce the chances of the appliance like the dishwasher to overload the breaker.

Invest in a good breaker that can handle the pressure of high power demands. Not only will it reduce tripping, but you will also be able to easily identify which breaker power appliance for easier maintenance and control.

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Worn-out Wires

Worn-out or loose connections both in the dishwasher and the connection to the breaker are common reasons for tripping. Over time the wires start to have wear and tear.

If you live in an old home and do not have an AFCI circuit breaker, you will likely be facing more breaker tripping. The wires in these homes are not suited for high-power machinery like the dishwasher or washing machine.

Solution:

First, you need to check the junction box and wiring inside the dishwasher to make sure those are okay. Unplug the dishwasher and open up the junction box. Check for damage to the wires or the box itself.

Replace old, damaged wires with new ones. Use electrical tape to secure the spots where the wires meet. Get a good AFCI breaker to replace the old one if that one is not cutting it.

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Faulty Heating Element

A damaged or faulty heating element can cause the dishwasher to trip the breaker when it starts heating the water.

It is usually at the bottom of the dishwasher and looks similar to an induction heating element.

(Source: Reddit)

If the heating element is faulty or the wires are burnt it will draw more power than it needs because of the resistance. The breaker is not able to keep up with the sudden power demand spikes and instantly trips.

Solution:

You will have to open up the bottom compartment to get access to the heating element. Check for burns or any signs of damage on it. Test it with a multimeter to see the resistance numbers.

If it does not have continuity, you can get a replacement. Replacing the heating element is a very mundane task. 

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It requires a pro’s handling but if you want to DIY the replacement you can follow this video to make sure you do not mess anything up.

Transorbs or TVS

Dishwashers have Transorbs in them that suppress the transient voltage like ESD events. These clamp the voltage to the ground to protect the circuits from voltage spikes.

A lot of the time the transorbs get shortened which will lead to unimaginable spikes. The spikes lead the dishwasher to trip the breaker. It can happen from lightning strikes or electrical surges from EMP.

Solution:

This is a very delicate component. Even if it is damaged you should not try to replace or fix it on your own. Rather get a professional to diagnose and replace it for you.

Do not rush to get the replacement part. Let the pro do their thing and suggest what to get for the best results.

Water Leaks

Water and electricity are a very deadly combo. If the area around the dishwasher is damp and somehow the water has contact with the electricity then you are lucky it only trips the breaker.

This is a serious safety hazard. Dampness can damage sensitive parts of the dishwasher and the circuit breaker. It can render the motors and mains useless and may even damage them to quite a large extent.

Solution:

Check to see if you can find any signs of a leak or if the floor and wall around the dishwasher are wet. Check the drain hose and see if the vents are clogged.

If you do see a leak wrap and repair it with a plumber’s tape. These are also called PTFE tapes. Check prices here.

Overworking the Dishwasher: Why Proper Loading is Important

Overloading the dishwasher is often an overlooked reason behind the dishwasher tripping breaker. Proper loading is very important for a dishwasher to function properly.

You should use the whole interior space but do not overload the racks with dirty dishes. Loading dishwashers with too much dishware will reduce water circulation and make the dishwasher work harder than it can.

If it is not able to handle the pressure it will try to draw more power from the outlet which can lead to spikes and cause the breaker to trip. You should place the dishes in properly.

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Here are effective ways to load the dishwasher:

(Source: Bonappetit)

1. Mugs, bowls, and glasses go on the top rack.
2. Plates, platters, and other dirtier stuff go on the middle rack where the spray arm is. This is where the dishwasher works the best.
3. Utensils like spoons and forks go on the bottom basket.
4. Also follow the shape of the rack to fit the dishes in the right spot.

Different Circuit Breakers for Dishwashers

There are different types of circuit breakers for different purposes. No matter which suits your needs, make sure the dishwasher has a dedicated circuit.

Here are the most common types of circuit breakers for dishwashers:

1. Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCB): These are general-purpose dedicated breakers that trip when they detect short circuits.
2. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI): These protect appliances against ground faults where the electricity flows to the ground.  In case of a mismatch of neutral and hot wire the breaker trips.
3. Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI): Reduces the chances of electrical fires from arcing faults in the wiring. If there is a situation where it may lead to fire it trips to break the circuit.

Dishwasher Keeps Tripping Breaker – (FAQs)