Sauna Breaker


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Old 12-11-13, 06:41 AM
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Sauna Breaker

I have a sauna that's going to be installed. The unit info states using 42 amps.
I want to know breaker size to install also--will 2 pole 40A suffice?
And will 8-3 wire be enough? Thanks in advance.
 
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Old 12-11-13, 06:46 AM
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I have a sauna that's going to be installed. The unit info states using 42 amps.
I want to know breaker size to install also--will 2 pole 40A suffice?
And will 8-3 wire be enough?
Assuming you are planning on using NM-B cable (aka romex), 8-3 is only rated for 40 amps. I would use 6-3 NM-B cable and a 60 amp breaker.
 
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Old 12-11-13, 06:56 AM
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OK great I get it about the wire. I want to better understand the breaker....my thinking is...and this is not a challenge, rather to understand....if the unit is rated at 42A and I put in a 60A breaker, aren't I allowing the thing to possibly too pull much power which would be not desireable??
 
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Old 12-11-13, 07:06 AM
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if the unit is rated at 42A and I put in a 60A breaker, aren't I allowing the thing to possibly too pull much power which would be not desireable??
The maximum current draw is 42 amps regardless of the breaker, the beaker does not control that. The major load of a sauna is the heater. I wouldn't load the breaker more than 80% of it's capacity. For a 60 amp breaker that would be 48 amps. You may want to read through the installation instructions as well and see what they recommend.
 
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Old 12-11-13, 07:35 AM
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For example, if you were to install a 100 watt lightbulb on a 15 amp circuit it will only draw less than one amp, not the 15 the breaker would allow.
 
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Old 12-11-13, 07:45 AM
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OK thanks very much for the replies!
 
 

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