hot water heater hook up
#1
07-31-04, 05:47 PM
hot water heater hook up
Hi I am just finishing upgrading from a fuse panel to a CB panel. The last thing I have to hook up is the water heater.
The water heater is a 2400 watt / max 3000 watt unit.
it only has a white, black, and cooper wire.
it is also 240 volts. Does this mean I need to use a double pole 15 amp breaker and put both the black and white on the breaker. Please explain if this is true and why? thanks
The water heater is a 2400 watt / max 3000 watt unit.
it only has a white, black, and cooper wire.
it is also 240 volts. Does this mean I need to use a double pole 15 amp breaker and put both the black and white on the breaker. Please explain if this is true and why? thanks
#2
07-31-04, 06:14 PM
You do need a double pole breaker, and the white and black both attach to the breaker, but you need larger than 15 amp. You need a 20 amp or 30 amp breaker, depending on the wire size. If the wire is 10 gauge then use a double pole 30 amp breaker. If the wire size is 12 gauge then use a double pole 20 amp breaker. What size are the fuses that were protecting the wire before?
In the US residiential electricity is supplied as 240 volts. The 240 volts is supplied as two 120 volt lines that are exactly out of phase with each other. When you add this together, you get 240 volts. The power company also supplies a neutral wire. If all of your devices were 240 volts (you had no 120 devices), you would not need the neutral. The neutral is used when there is an imbalance between the two hot wires. SInce most of your house devices use 120, the neutral almost always carries current.
Your water heater is a straight 220 volt device. To operate it needs only the two hot wires. No neutral is needed. The ground wire is for safety.
Other 220 devices, like stoves, dryers and ovens often have a 120 volt component. 120 is used to power things like light bulbs, clocks, the motor that turns the dryer, etc. Because 120 is used in addition to 220, these devices need to be wired with an extra wire. This extra wire is a neutral, and carries the excess 120 volt current back to the panel.
In the US residiential electricity is supplied as 240 volts. The 240 volts is supplied as two 120 volt lines that are exactly out of phase with each other. When you add this together, you get 240 volts. The power company also supplies a neutral wire. If all of your devices were 240 volts (you had no 120 devices), you would not need the neutral. The neutral is used when there is an imbalance between the two hot wires. SInce most of your house devices use 120, the neutral almost always carries current.
Your water heater is a straight 220 volt device. To operate it needs only the two hot wires. No neutral is needed. The ground wire is for safety.
Other 220 devices, like stoves, dryers and ovens often have a 120 volt component. 120 is used to power things like light bulbs, clocks, the motor that turns the dryer, etc. Because 120 is used in addition to 220, these devices need to be wired with an extra wire. This extra wire is a neutral, and carries the excess 120 volt current back to the panel.
#3
07-31-04, 06:36 PM
thanks
The fuses that were there before were a 25 amp and a 20 amp. I will hook up the 30 amp double pole right away. Thanks
Right now it has only a single pole CB, and the white is hooked to the neutral bar. Did I hurt the water heater in any way?
Right now it has only a single pole CB, and the white is hooked to the neutral bar. Did I hurt the water heater in any way?
Last edited by backyard monkey; 07-31-04 at 10:40 PM.
