How To Wire A 240 Volt Electric Hot Water Heater

Understanding water heater wiring.

How to wire a 240 volt electric hot water heater.

240v ac non simultaneous dual element 5kw water heater thermostat wiring. 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. Replacing a gas water heater with a 240 volt 30 amp hot water heater and reconnecting to an existing 240 volt 30 amp hot water 10 gauge circuit. Yes you can wire a 240 volt rated water heater with 120 volts exchanging the second hot red wire for a white neutral wire to the neutral bus.

The circuit size is determined by the required electrical load of the heater which is measured in watts or amps. It is extremely important that the circuit be off when wiring an electric water heater. Typically a 240 volt heater will have three wires in a junction box or connection area. Enjoy the videos and music you love upload original content and share it all with friends family and the world on youtube.

A dedicated circuit containing 3 wires two will be the 240 volt lines and one will be the ground wire. You may see the previsions post for. Related water heater wiring. How to wire 240v simultaneous water heater thermostat.

Some large heaters draw up to 50 amps requiring 6 gauge wire. Simultaneous wiring of dual heating elements 9000 watts each of 4500 watts and thermostats for 240v and 230v electric water heater. While all voltages are dangerous it is this particular voltage which is most notorious for causing severe injury or death. The circuit wiring typically includes a 30 amp double pole breaker and 10 2 non metallic nm or mc cable.

The original 240 volt 30 amp hot water 10 gauge circuit wires will need to be verified that they are not being used for some other purpose. Wire a hot water heater with wire that s sized to accommodate the heater s current requirement. Understanding electric water heater wiring. Because of ohm s law and the fact that the resistance of the circuit stays the same half the voltage means the watts of heating energy generated is reduced to one quarter of.

As like in prevois wiring diagrams the upper thermostat is connected to the single phase 240v ac supply through a 30 amp circuit breaker the line l 1 as hot wire is connected to to the thermostat right terminal l 3. This is the common format for wiring an electric water heater but it is not the only. Most hot water heaters are on a 30 amp two pole breaker. In the electric water heater and thermostat wiring series we will be showing the continuous i e.

The two poles means it is a stated 240 volts or an actual 230 volts. As long as your water heater is not too far from the panel it will be wired with 10 wire. Electric water heaters require a 240 volt dedicated circuit which serves only the water heater and no other appliances or devices.