Wire And Breaker Size For Electric Water Heater

My electrical wiring project involves change the wiring a water heater in the bathroom of a mobile home.

Wire and breaker size for electric water heater. What is the right circuit breaker and cable for an electric water heater. When placing multiple heaters on a circuit do not exceed the wattage listed for the corresponding wire and circuit breaker size. An acquaintance has an older mobile galvanized branch water lines and his water heater. Electric water heaters require a 240 volt dedicated circuit which serves only the water heater and no other appliances or devices.

For example a 20 amp hot water heater needs 12 gauge wire a 25 amp hot water heater requires 10 gauge wire and a 30 to 40 amp hot water heater requires 8 gauge wire. To protect against material failures the national electric code. Understanding water heater wiring. Model recommended breaker maximum amperage 240v recommended household electric service recommended minimum wire gauge.

4 x 40 amps dp. While all voltages are dangerous it is this particular voltage which is most notorious for causing severe injury or death. Some large heaters draw up to 50 amps requiring 6 gauge wire. Wire a hot water heater with wire that s sized to accommodate the heater s current requirement.

It is extremely important that the circuit be off when wiring an electric water heater. Most home hot water heaters are powered by a 240 volt circuit. The circuit wiring typically includes a 30 amp double pole breaker and 10 2 non metallic nm or mc cable. Multiply the value for current by 125 percent to determine the size of the breaker you need for the heater.

40 gal 240v dual 4500w 18 75a connected to the. A 1500 watt heater on a 120 volt circuit thus needs a breaker of 15 6 amps. These 3 heaters would require 12 2 wire and a 20 amp 2 pole breaker if they were to all be placed on the same circuit. 101 vancouver washington 98665 how to calculate breaker size wire size and wattages the chart below will help you determine fuse or breaker size and the necessary wire size to service various wattage loads.

2 1000w 1 1500w 240v heaters 3500 watts total. At the water heater the black circuit wire connects to the black wire.