Quick answer
When a geyser trips the earth leakage, water has reached an electrical part — almost always a cracked element or a perished element gasket letting moisture into the terminal box. This is not a nuisance trip to be reset around. The earth leakage is doing exactly its job, and every reset re-energises a live component sitting in water. Switch the geyser breaker off and leave it off until it has been tested.
Common causes
- Cracked element from scale build-up or from being switched on while partly empty
- Perished element gasket letting water into the terminal box
- Wet or compacted insulation around the cylinder holding moisture against the flange
- Water tracking down the conduit into the isolator from a leak above
- Faulty earth leakage unit itself — possible, but the least likely and only diagnosed after the geyser is cleared
What you can do now
- 1Switch off the geyser breaker at the DB board and leave it off
- 2Do not repeatedly reset the earth leakage — each reset re-energises a wet component
- 3Test whether the rest of the house holds once the geyser breaker is off; if it does, the geyser is confirmed as the fault
- 4Do not run hot water — the cylinder will simply refill cold and you gain nothing
- 5Keep the area under the geyser clear until it has been inspected
When to call a professional
Call immediately. A geyser tripping earth leakage is a live shock hazard, not an inconvenience. A registered electrician and plumber will isolate the circuit, insulation-test the element, and replace the element and gasket together — replacing one without the other is why the fault often returns. Ask for the test readings in writing; they are the evidence the circuit is safe again.
Typical cost in Johannesburg
Element + gasket R1,400–R2,000 · Fault test + cert R650
Indicative ranges only. We provide written, itemised quotes before any work.
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