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Multiply the value for current by 125 percent to determine the size of the breaker you need for the heater. A 1500-watt heater on a 120-volt circuit thus needs a breaker of 15.6 amps. Because a 15-amp breaker would be too small, you need a breaker with the next highest rating, which is 20 amps.
What size breaker do I need for my water heater?
Electric water heaters require a 240-volt dedicated circuit, which serves only the water heater and no other appliances or devices. The circuit wiring typically includes a 30-amp double-pole breaker and 10-2 non-metallic (NM) or MC cable.
What size breaker do you use for a 50 gallon water heater?
The standard for water heater circuits is #10, two conductors with ground (10/2) and a 30 amp circuit breaker for a water heater.
What size breaker do I need for a 240V 4500 watt water heater?
The right circuit breaker for this appliance with 4500 watts at 240 volts is either 25 amps or 30 amps. If the water heater isn’t rated as “continuous load”, then it would have been fine to use 100% of the circuit breaker’s rating.
Can you use a 20 amp breaker for a water heater?
A water heater with a 4500-watt heating element requires a 10/2 wire with a 30 amp (240volt) circuit breaker. The 3800-watt heating element can be wired with a smaller 12/2 wire and a 20 amp circuit breaker.
Can I use a 40 amp breaker for a water heater?
You cannot put a 40A breaker on #10 wire. If you are sure there is (at least) #8 wire all the way from the breaker to the water heater, you can just replace the 30A breaker with a 40A breaker, but if and only if you have verified the size of the wire throughout the entire circuit.
What size breaker do I need for a 40-gallon electric water heater?
With our answer, a 40-gallon water heater needs at least a 25-amp breaker, the closest to the amperage value. However, I highly recommend using 30-amps for a safer breaker size.
Does Square D make a 25 amp breaker?
Square D QO 25-Amp 1-Pole Standard Trip Circuit Breaker.
What size breaker do I need for AO Smith 40-gallon water heater?
A 40-gallon water heater should have an average 4500 Watt capacity and 240 V emf. Thus, a 25 or 30A breaker is sufficient for a 40-gallon breaker. However, for your safety, we recommend getting a 30A breaker.
What size breaker do I need for a 240 volt heater?
Adding a 240-volt baseboard heater usually requires a new 20- or 30-amp double-pole circuit breaker and new circuit wiring to supply one or more heater units. This is a dedicated circuit that serves only the heater.
How many amps does a 240 volt water heater use?
Most electric water heaters use 18.8 amps with 240 volts and a 4,500 watt heating element. A gas water heater uses less amps—about 12 Amps with 115 volts. The average residential container heater has a 40-gallon tank and usually requires a 30-amp breaker.
How many amps is 5500 watts at 240 volts?
So in this case the 5500 watts would be divided by 240 volts, which would equal 22.9 amps.
Can I replace a 3500 watt element with a 4500 watt element?
It is ok to install lower watt: replace 4500 with 3500 as long as voltage is same. Lower watt means less heat, so element can last longer.
What size breaker do I need for a 30 gallon water heater?
The branch circuit needs to be calculated at 125% of the rated ampacity for this type of water heater to be considered a continuous load. In order to work on a 20 Amp OCPD, you will need a 25 or 30 Amp circuit.
Why does my water heater keep tripping the breaker?
Breaker Breaker There are three possible explanations for a breaker being tripped by a hot water heater: water dripping on the electrical lines, a problem with the unit’s thermostat or a problem with the breaker. A malfunctioning thermostat is the most common cause. In this case, the thermostat should be replaced.
Is there a breaker on a hot water heater?
You can cut off power to your hot water heater in either one of two ways: Locate your water tank and turn the power to it OFF by pulling the electrical plug out of the wall socket. Another way to turn the power off is to flip the circuit breaker (the breaker that’s labeled “water heater”) to the OFF position.
What happens if you oversize a breaker?
If there is a direct short in an appliance a breaker will kick off even if oversized, but if there is simply a crossed or burned wire it may not turn off. This would cause a possible shock hazard. It is best to size the breaker slightly above the total current draw of the appliance.
Can I use a 40 amp breaker for a 50 gallon water heater?
Yes, if AND ONLY IF the wires from the breakers to the water heaters are sufficient to carry 40 amps (e.g. 8-gauge 90C THHN copper). The largest residential heating elements for a tanked water heater are 7000 watts.
What amp fuse do I need for a water heater?
Most residential water heaters take 30amp fuses, but look on your water heater’s data sticker to be sure. It depends on how big your water heater is. A typical 40 or 50 gallon heater in the United States that operates on 120vac requires at least a 20 amp breaker.
What size breaker do I need for an electric heater?
Multiply the value for current by 125 percent to determine the size of the breaker you need for the heater. A 1500-watt heater on a 120-volt circuit thus needs a breaker of 15.6 amps. Because a 15-amp breaker would be too small, you need a breaker with the next highest rating, which is 20 amps.
Can I use 12 gauge wire on a 30 amp breaker?
You should not use a 30-amp circuit breaker on a 12-gauge wire. The circuit breaker installed on a circuit is of a specific size to protect a certain wire gauge. This higher current can damage the thinner wire, melt the insulation, cause short circuits, fire, and even lethal shock.
Can I use a 40 amp breaker on 10 gauge wire?
Of course you CAN, but it is not safe. A 40 amp breaker will not sufficiently protect a #10 wire, possibly causing a fire. #8 copper wire is appropriate for a 40 amp breaker.
