Hot Tubs and Trip Switches

 Trip switches that are residual-current devices (RCDs) are different from conventional circuit breakers, and serve a life-saving function for hot tub users. If you are in the habit of changing circuit breakers yourself, it is very important that you understand this difference. Otherwise you might replace an RCD with a conventional device, and lose your life!

While conventional circuit breakers work at higher amperes and rather slowly, RCD’s might work at 5 milliamperes in a few milliseconds where human life is in direct danger as in the case of a hot tub. What exactly is the issue involved!

Your hot tub water is heated by the heater element, and electrical device. Normally, the electricity that heats up the heater element is protected from getting into the water. However, devices have a habit of failing and the heater element is no exception.

A damaged heater element can result in electricity getting into the water, and the combination is lethal to the hot tub user. As low a current as 10 milliamperes can stop a human heart. The trip switch that protects your hot tub prevents this from happening by breaking the circuit in thousands of a second if it detects current leakage.

An RCD detects current leakage in high-tech way and shuts off the current in practically no time so that your life is not endangered. Regulations affecting hot tub makes it mandatory for manufacturers to include an RCD as an integral part of the circuit.

Now, if your heater does begin to deteriorate, you might notice frequent tripping of the RCD. You might feel it a nuisance that prevents you from enjoying the full experience provided by the spa. And you might find that replacing the RCD with a conventional circuit breaker restores the experience.

You might not know that what you have done has also put you in a life-threatening situation. If the heater gets damaged enough to leak current into water you are not likely to get any warning in advance!

Instead of replacing the RCD trip switch, you should replace the heater in the hot tub!

We always recommend a Part P Trained Electrician to replace any RCD’s, Breakers or cabling used to connect your hot tub.

For more information on hot tub heaters and repairing hot tub electrics please contact:

Hot Tub Repair Man

01158715419 / mail@hottubrepairman.co.uk

Hot Tub Hibernation

If you don’t plan to use your hot tub during the cold winter, you need to take some precautions to ensure that frozen water do not damage your spa parts. Equipment can freeze and crack if too much water is inside. You have to drain the spa of most of its water before sending it into hibernation.

Before you start on the draining process, switch off all power connections. Turn off the heater, and any power switch on the pack. It is a good idea to turn off the circuit-breaker to the hot tub on the electrical panel controlling power supply to your home.

Remove the hot tub cover, and the filter cartridge from its canister.

You are now ready to start the draining process. Attach a garden hose to the bottom spout of the spa. Alternatively, you can siphon off the water from the hot tub. Just make sure that the hose you use is full of water (fill it from a water tap), put one end into the spa and the other end at a level that is significantly lower than the spa bottom.

After the hot tub proper is drained, you need to remove most of the water that remains in the plumbing, including air blower lines. This might require turning the power back on to start the blower and expel the water. It is a good idea to put the cover back on during this process.

Don’t forget to turn the power (and the circuit-breaker) off after this exercise.

You can now remove the cover, and use a sponge to soak up the water in the spa.

You can now cover the equipment panel and use a tarpaulin to cover the whole spa to send your hot tub into winter hibernation. The tough tarp will ensure that your spa is safe from the elements.

Hot Tub Services Nottingham