This electrical wiring project is about changing the wiring for a water heater in a home.
Breaker for water heater.
Most home hot water heaters are powered by a 240 volt circuit.
Because a 15 amp breaker would be too small you need a breaker with the next highest rating which is 20 amps.
Water dripping on the electrical lines a problem with the unit s thermostat or a problem with the breaker.
Of course pairing up the right circuit breaker according to the water heater demands is useful.
But with a 25 amp breaker the 20 amp water heater will only cover 80 of the total capacity of the circuit breaker.
Has this ever happened to you.
Electric water heaters require a 240 volt dedicated circuit which serves only the water heater and no other appliances or devices.
In the above example we would require a 15 6 amp circuit breaker for our us readers.
There are three possible explanations for a breaker being tripped by a hot water heater.
Now in order to choose an electric breaker multiply the current draw of the water heater with 125 per cent in order to determine the size of the breaker you will need.
A 1500 watt heater on a 120 volt circuit thus needs a breaker of 15 6 amps.
I agree with you that this water heater circuit is not a typical configuration and the common circuit for a new home is 10 copper wire protected by a 2pole 30amp circuit breaker however lets look.
At the water heater the black circuit wire connects to the black wire.
Electrical wiring and circuit breaker for a water heater.
While all voltages are dangerous it is this particular voltage which is most notorious for causing severe injury or death.
So it will work consistently and in a stable way.
Then after a few.
It is extremely important that the circuit be off when wiring an electric water heater.
Understanding water heater wiring.