Wire And Breaker Size For Electric Water Heater

What is the right circuit breaker and cable for an electric water heater.

Wire and breaker size for electric water heater.

Multiply the value for current by 125 percent to determine the size of the breaker you need for the heater. My electrical wiring project involves change the wiring a water heater in the bathroom of a mobile home. While all voltages are dangerous it is this particular voltage which is most notorious for causing severe injury or death. A 1500 watt heater on a 120 volt circuit thus needs a breaker of 15 6 amps.

2 1000w 1 1500w 240v heaters 3500 watts total. In the above example we would require a 15 6 amp circuit breaker for our us readers. Wire a hot water heater with wire that s sized to accommodate the heater s current requirement. When placing multiple heaters on a circuit do not exceed the wattage listed for the corresponding wire and circuit breaker size.

Now in order to choose an electric breaker multiply the current draw of the water heater with 125 per cent in order to determine the size of the breaker you will need. 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. Electric water heaters require a 240 volt dedicated circuit which serves only the water heater and no other appliances or devices. Understanding water heater wiring.

40 gal 240v dual 4500w 18 75a connected to the. It is extremely important that the circuit be off when wiring an electric water heater. At the water heater the black circuit wire connects to the black wire. To protect against material failures the national electric code.

Model recommended breaker maximum amperage 240v recommended household electric service recommended minimum wire gauge. An acquaintance has an older mobile galvanized branch water lines and his water heater. 4 x 40 amps dp. Some large heaters draw up to 50 amps requiring 6 gauge wire.

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. The circuit wiring typically includes a 30 amp double pole breaker and 10 2 non metallic nm or mc cable.