Wire And Breaker Size For Electric Water Heater

Most home hot water heaters are powered by a 240 volt circuit.

Wire and breaker size for electric water heater. While all voltages are dangerous it is this particular voltage which is most notorious for causing severe injury or death. An acquaintance has an older mobile galvanized branch water lines and his water heater. Understanding water heater wiring. Electric water heaters require a 240 volt dedicated circuit which serves only the water heater and no other appliances or devices.

It is extremely important that the circuit be off when wiring an electric water heater. These 3 heaters would require 12 2 wire and a 20 amp 2 pole breaker if they were to all be placed on the same circuit. When placing multiple heaters on a circuit do not exceed the wattage listed for the corresponding wire and circuit breaker size. What is the right circuit breaker and cable for an electric water heater.

A 1500 watt heater on a 120 volt circuit thus needs a breaker of 15 6 amps. To protect against material failures the national electric code. Model recommended breaker maximum amperage 240v recommended household electric service recommended minimum wire gauge. 101 vancouver washington 98665 how to calculate breaker size wire size and wattages the chart below will help you determine fuse or breaker size and the necessary wire size to service various wattage loads.

At the water heater the black circuit wire connects to the black wire. In the above example we would require a 15 6 amp circuit breaker for our us readers. 40 gal 240v dual 4500w 18 75a connected to the. Multiply the value for current by 125 percent to determine the size of the breaker you need for the heater.

G g electric plumbing at 1900 ne 78th street ste. For example a 20 amp hot water heater needs 12 gauge wire a 25 amp hot water heater requires 10 gauge wire and a 30 to 40 amp hot water heater requires 8 gauge wire. 4 x 40 amps dp. The circuit wiring typically includes a 30 amp double pole breaker and 10 2 non metallic nm or mc cable.

Some large heaters draw up to 50 amps requiring 6 gauge wire. Wire a hot water heater with wire that s sized to accommodate the heater s current requirement.