changing wiring on water heater
#1
I got a 240v water heater that is wired 120v how do I go about wiring it up right. I got space in my box for a 240 breaker but don't know how to connect the wires to the water heater. Leet me say that i just bought the house and the water heater was already wired this way.
#2
You don't need to change the wiring at your hot water heater at all.
By going to 240 volts, however, you'll double the current in the wire. Make sure you have the right size wire for the increased amperage.
Tell us the wire gauge and the the number and colors of wires. It would also help to know the wattage of the water heater (read the label).
By going to 240 volts, however, you'll double the current in the wire. Make sure you have the right size wire for the increased amperage.
Tell us the wire gauge and the the number and colors of wires. It would also help to know the wattage of the water heater (read the label).
#3
Thank you for your reply. To begin it has 12-2 wiring and the colors are white and black. The water heater has a 4500w rating on the tag. and the more I look at it the more I see that the people that own this did not do the wiring correctly. I hope that this helps you help me.
#4
A 4500 watt water heater at 240 volts will draw about 19 amps. This is too much of a continuous load for 12 gauge wire.
As it is, wired at 120 volts, you're drawing less than 10 amps (because you currently have only a 1125 watt water heater).
Consider having an electrician check this out. Given what you've seen so far, the chances of other unsafe conditions are high.
As it is, wired at 120 volts, you're drawing less than 10 amps (because you currently have only a 1125 watt water heater).
Consider having an electrician check this out. Given what you've seen so far, the chances of other unsafe conditions are high.