I have an electric hot water heater that is fed by a 220 volt line. I would like to use this line to power my power vent on the new gas hot water heater I will be installing shortly. What do I need to do in order to convert this line to 110 for the vent?

 

What is the breaker size and conductor size for the existing HWH. What is the size of the power vent (probably very small, right?)

 

I believe it is a 30 amp double pole breaker using 10 gauge wire. I would just rather replace it with a single pole 15 or 20 amp (whatever the vent requires) but I working inside the panel scares the crap out of me. I may get an electrician in to change it over.

 

You need to run a seperate 120 circuit to the power vent because your 220 at the water heater don't have a common.
If you're not comfy working inside the panel just get everything to the point where you need to remove the panel and shut off the main breaker. When I do this my son comes to the rescue by holding the flashlight for me. Only problem is when he talks he thinks he has to shine it in my face.

 

Couldn't I just remove the one white wire at the breaker, connect it to the neutral bus bar and then my white wire at the hw heater would then be neutral, no? I wouldn't think I would have to run another line.

 

Sounds okay to me. Do you have a ground wire present?

 

I think you have to replace the 30 amp breaker with a 15 or 20 amp, then you can connect the neutral to the neutral bus and the black to the new breaker. You don't want the 30 amp breaker on the power vent motor.

 

Duh me, Sure you can use the existing wire just change the breaker. It didn't register in my head that you were changing to gas and wouldn't need the 220 anymore. Sorry..

 

OK. I have seen plenty of sites and books explaining how to add a circuit in a panel, but I have never done it myself. How did you guys who aren't electrians get over the hump of just going for it and changing breakers knowing the danger of voltage that lurks inside? I really want to do this because there a few other circuits I would like to add for future basement remodelling and workspace outlets.

 

Well, to start with you should probably shut off the main breaker or main disconnect to the panel. That will remove most problems. If you really want to be safe tape some cardboard or something over the place where the incoming hot wires (the really large ones) come in and are screwed down.

The key to rember is not to touch anything. Obvious isn't it?? The voltages in the panel are no more dangerous than those elswhere in the house. THey are still 120/240 volts. However the amps are 10 or 20 times higher. Have you ever shorted out a live outlet when working on it and it will melt a little bit of your screw driver off? Well, if you sort out the main panel like this, you probably won't have a screw driver left anymore. You probably won't see straight for a few minutes either.

So anyway just shut off the power, be very carful what you touch, and good luck!

 

If you decide to "Go for it ",just remember that whenever you shut the main breaker off, the wires from the meter to the main breaker will still be energized. The rest of the panel, breakers, and bussing will not be.

 

That I realize, so hopefully the breaker will be as far away from the top of the panel as possible. Less to make me think about the juice that is still active.

 

You have to realize that the panels are designed for safety. The only things that remain hot in the panel after the main breaker (the big one usually at the top of the panel) is turned off are the lugs that the big wires attach to, and those are recessed with plastic ridges so that you would actually have to TRY to get in there with a screw driver or finger in order to get shocked.

And you can turn that big breaker OFF before you even take the panel cover off.

Working in service panels is NOT something that you do when you're in a hurry, or having a 'couple of beers on a Saturday afternoon. Think about every action, double think before actually doing any thing. Like if you are going back and forth from an outlet or connection that you are working on, and even slightly doubt whether or not you turned the breaker off, go back and check. Like changing lanes on a really busy freeway.

Make sure you never try to force anything that could suddenly let go and put your arms or hands out of control. Don't improvise with tools not intended for the job. If you run into a problem where the right tool would help, stop and go buy the tool. Never hesitate about spending money on the right tools or materials, think about how much money you're saving by NOT paying a pro....but at the same time always be realistic about limitations on your time or skills.

 

Well, to start with you should probably shut off the main breaker or main disconnect to the panel. That will remove most problems. If you really want to be safe tape some cardboard or something over the place where the incoming hot wires (the really large ones) come in and are screwed down.

The key to rember is not to touch anything. Obvious isn't it?? The voltages in the panel are no more dangerous than those elswhere in the house. THey are still 120/240 volts. However the amps are 10 or 20 times higher. Have you ever shorted out a live outlet when working on it and it will melt a little bit of your screw driver off? Well, if you sort out the main panel like this, you probably won't have a screw driver left anymore. You probably won't see straight for a few minutes either.

So anyway just shut off the power, be very carful what you touch, and good luck!