Electric Water Heater Wiring Question
#1
03-31-13, 07:29 AM
Join Date: Oct 2011
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Electric Water Heater Wiring Question
I'm getting ready to do a complete boiler re-pipe and tie in a wood boiler. My current domestic water is heated by an indirect. I acquired an 80 gallon AO smith electric water heater that I intend to temporarily install while I resume the project.
I assumed the water heater was 3 wire 208v and required 10/3 & a 30A breaker. The heater didn't come with instructions and I cannot find them online. I pulled the wiring cover off and discovered red & black 12ga. wire, a ground lug & no neutral. 120v comes to mind. Am I correct?
I assumed the water heater was 3 wire 208v and required 10/3 & a 30A breaker. The heater didn't come with instructions and I cannot find them online. I pulled the wiring cover off and discovered red & black 12ga. wire, a ground lug & no neutral. 120v comes to mind. Am I correct?
#3
03-31-13, 04:15 PM
Join Date: Oct 2011
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Can't I still wire it to 120v? It will only take longer to heat & recover? Only reason is I have a 120v/20A dedicated circuit right next to it's temporary location and I would love to splice an extension cord for the time being....rather than running the 10/3 wire and adding the 30A breaker to my panel.
#5
03-31-13, 08:19 PM
I would love to splice an extension cord for the time being....rather than running the 10/3 wire and adding the 30A breaker to my panel.
You don't need 10-3/G, just 10-2/G. Plus a 240V 30A breaker:
Originally Posted by pcboss
Most water heater are 240 volt wired with two hots and a ground on a 30 amp breaker.
Electricity is an equal opportunity killer. Wire everything as safely as you can.
