9Kw Sauna Wiring

[prattz99]

Hi,

My buddy is planning on wiring a 9kw sauna with a #8 at 240 volts from the panel to the control box and then he says he'll run #12 from the control box to the unit. He says because there are 3 elements each one is 12.5 amps each. Here is the name plate from the heating unit. Is he right?

 

[petersonra]

Appears that way.

 

[Little Bill]

I would think you would have to provide wire size for the rated amps. There should be factory internal wiring that separates it to each element.

 

[suemarkp]

What's he doing for the L3 connection? Two elements are doubled up. Can he put two conductors in that lug?

 

[Little Bill]

What's he doing for the L3 connection? Two elements are doubled up. Can he put two conductors in that lug?

I started to mention that but decided to just state what I did. Most machinery with a control box, you only run total power to it and the control circuit divides it accordingly. I don't know why a user would have to provide internal wiring to something with a control box.

 

[tortuga]

I'd say look up the installation instructions for that unit.

 

[LarryFine]

I'd say look up the installation instructions for that unit.

Agreed. Otherwise, field-installed conductors would have to be full circuit sized.

 

[hillbilly1]

Since he said “planning”, I wonder if he has seen it yet? It may come with a pre wired whip from the factory?

 

[prattz99]

Thank you guys! Not much in the way of the instructions but this is the unit here.

https://www.vevor.com/collections/sauna-heater-stove/products/sauna-heater-stove-9kw-dry-sauna-stove-with-external-control-stainless-steel

 

[hillbilly1]

It looks like the external control is just a low voltage controller. The heating elements are in the cabinet along with the high voltage controls.

 

[suemarkp]

Is this thin NRTL listed? Was also wonderin if it needs to be considered a continuous load. At first I thought no, but it has an 8 hour prehet and 4 hour constant heat mode. With a nameplate just over 40A, that puts the continuous load just over 50A so #8 would be a touch too small.

I wish companies would pay attention to load ratings versus wire ampacity limits. Why make a product that draws 40.9 amps. It should have been easy to get it to just just 40A or 39.9A. Same with HVAC heating elements that just barely cross over a wire size.

 

[LarryFine]

I wish companies would pay attention to load ratings versus wire ampacity limits. Why make a product that draws 40.9 amps. It should have been easy to get it to just just 40A or 39.9A. Same with HVAC heating elements that just barely cross over a wire size.

They may do it so we use the larger conductor.