need to add a 240 line.
#1
need to add a 240 line.
I have a 200amp panel with plenty of open slots.
I would like to add a line with 240 service..
its a ge panal so i went and picked up a ge breaker 40 amp double pole.
my question is this..
it has a leg on each side of the breaker..(i assume thats 120 each side)
and that makes it 240.
so if I pick up 8/3 wire, one wire goes to each leg on the breaker and the 3rd goes to the ground bar? that makes it a 240 line?
I would like to add a line with 240 service..
its a ge panal so i went and picked up a ge breaker 40 amp double pole.
my question is this..
it has a leg on each side of the breaker..(i assume thats 120 each side)
and that makes it 240.
so if I pick up 8/3 wire, one wire goes to each leg on the breaker and the 3rd goes to the ground bar? that makes it a 240 line?
#2
If by 8/3 you mean two conductor and a ground then yes. The 3 normally determines the number of conductors not counting the ground. So if this is only 240 volt and no 120 volt is needed you would technically need an 8/2 cable. What is it that you are running the the #8 cable to? You have the right idea on the breaker but make sure the wire that connects to the neutral/ground bar is bare or green the other two connect to the breaker it doesnt matter which leg goes where.
#3
thanks for the reply..
the 8/3 is running to a sauna but thanks for clearing that up..lol
I just wish I saw it before I went and returned the 8/3 and bought 12/3
I looked on the sauna panal and saw that it listed 12ga. min in wire so...
I guess I will be heading back to get 12/2, unless 10/2 would serve some better purpos
thanks
the 8/3 is running to a sauna but thanks for clearing that up..lol
I just wish I saw it before I went and returned the 8/3 and bought 12/3
I looked on the sauna panal and saw that it listed 12ga. min in wire so...
I guess I will be heading back to get 12/2, unless 10/2 would serve some better purpos
thanks
#4
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This is getting scary.
You can NOT put 12 ga wire rated for 20 amps on a 40 amp breaker.
There may be special grounding requirements for a sauna.
For safety you need to get an electrician.
You can NOT put 12 ga wire rated for 20 amps on a 40 amp breaker.
There may be special grounding requirements for a sauna.
For safety you need to get an electrician.
#5
very nice of you, thanks
might just do that..
just wondering though...
if the sauna has it listed right on the panel 12ga. min wire and it only has 3 poles 2hot and one ground.
what could be the special part?
aside from the $$$$$$?
12ga wire and 20 amp double pole breaker sounds scary?
might just do that..
just wondering though...
if the sauna has it listed right on the panel 12ga. min wire and it only has 3 poles 2hot and one ground.
what could be the special part?
aside from the $$$$$$?
12ga wire and 20 amp double pole breaker sounds scary?
#6
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There should be a nameplate on the sauna somewhere, (motor, or controller) with the minimum and maximum circuit ampacity and breaker sizing.
#12 wire for 20A, #10 for 30A and #8 for 40A.
#8
Originally Posted by John Nelson
Okay, are we talking about a 40-amp breaker or a 20-amp breaker? You seem to have said it both ways.
I first bought 8-3 and a 40amp double pole breaker.
I was getting ready to start my adventure and after taking the sauna out of the box I saw the plate that was mentioned above ( by jerry)
sooo, once I saw the 12ga. min wire listed on the plate, I went back and returned the items I had.
exchanging them for 12-3 and a double pole 20amp breaker...
and once again it looks like I will be going back to get 12-2, since I only need 2 hots and 1 ground.
hope that clears my post up a little.
#9
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There are a myriad of code requirements for a sauna. Not sure what you have exactly, but you need to comply with all the code requirements. This is not a time to guess.