Can u help me decipher these instructions?

[mark32]

A customer bought a Kohler steam generator and misplaced the manual. I went to their website

http://www.us.kohler.com/onlinecatalog/pdf/1060226_2.pdf

and on page 5 under the Electrical rating heading it says it draws 55a but above that, under the title Electrical service, it says 75a. I called the company twice, one tech said it's 75a and no GFCI protection is necessary. I called back hours later and another tech told me it's rated at 60a and recommended GFCI protection. I'm not sure who to believe. Can anyone give me their take on the instructions?

 

[infinity]

There are 4 different models listed which one do you have?

 

[mark32]

Sorry, forgot to add the model number K1734

 

[hunt4679]

First off page 3 says do not install on a gfci circuit. (might have to look at code on that one) The 55 amps is the current it uses the 75 amps is the recommened circuit size

 

[chris kennedy]

Looks like they want 75A rated wire and 55A OCP, I see no mention of GFCI. FWIW, 55A OCP is 2 amps shy of 11kw at 125%. Very interesting specs indeed.

 

[LarryFine]

... model number K1734

Unit uses 55a, requires a 75a circuit, no GFCI.

 

[Sierrasparky]

I'd say that spec sheet is kinda hard to read.

I did decipher that the 75 amps you are reffering to is all about the electrical serivice minimum.

However what I don't get is that the unit claims 1,100 KV my rough calc says 45amps min circuit ampacity or a 50 amp wire and breaker. Don't see whare the get 55 amps from. It's just a resistive heater is it not?

 

[LarryFine]

Looks like they want ... 55A OCP ...

I didn't see that.

 

[zappy]

If the amps are 55, why would you need 75amp rated wire? Maybe I'm missing something.

 

[Sierrasparky]

On a second /third and fourth look at the specs , I think the 75 a number reffers to a generator size. Or is the term Generator reffering to " steam Generator"

 

[chris kennedy]

Looks like they want ... 55A OCP

Unit uses 55a

Whats 11kw ? 240?

 

[hunt4679]

The Gfci issue seems wrong to me, Copper pipe to shower connected to steam genny connected to 240 volts. I cant find anything in the code about it though?

 

[hunt4679]

I would guess 55 amps is continious load

 

[chris kennedy]

I would guess 55 amps is continious load

Continuous load would be 57A. IMO not a continuous load as the T-stat will cycle this on and off even if one wanted to stand in a steamy shower for 3 hours.

 

[LarryFine]

Whats 11kw ? 240?

No, you said they want a 55a OCPD. You math shows power requirements.

 

[mark32]

Larry, it seems as though you have a good handle on this. So I could feed this with, for example, #2 AL SE and protect it with an 80a breaker, you like?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Good luck 55 amps is not a standard size breaker... 240.6

 

[Dennis Alwon]

The whole info stuff is horrible. The steam generator is 11kw which is about 46 amps but they say 75 amps-- again a non standard size.

I believe I would tell the owners to get a new one or I would run a wire big enough for 60 amps and install it on a 50 amp breaker.

11,000/240= 46 amps. Personally I don't know if you would need 125% but since a water heater does I would assume it does. Thus, 46 times 125%= 58amps. Next higher size.

I would first, of course, check the nameplate.

 

[Prene13]

Very last page.


The troubleshooting guide is for general aid only. For service and installation issues and concerns, call 1-800-4-KOHLER.

 

[hunt4679]

Larry, it seems as though you have a good handle on this. So I could feed this with, for example, #2 AL SE and protect it with an 80a breaker, you like?

You might want to check it might only be rated for cu conductors only. Feed it with 80 amps and install a disconnect with 75 amp fuses?