Electric baseboard heat

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olly

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Berthoud, Colorado
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Master Electrician
I have never wired baseboard heat. I plan on sizing conductors as continuous duty.

If I have 3 - 2500W baseboards wired 240v

each one would pull 10.4A x 1.25 = 13A, I would need 1 - 12-2 circuit to each unit correct?

Question #2 - Why is the unit marked 2000/2500? I would think the 500w difference is 240 vs 208 but the specification doesn't clarify, pictured below
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1630528061931.png
 
James L said:
You would need minimum #14

Yes, that's 240v vs 208v
Click to expand...
I am not so sure about that. The #14 is fine but I think these units may be wired to 2 different wattages. The difference between a 240v vs 208v is usually 75% so a 2500 watt unit at 240v would be about 1875 watts at 208V.

Notice the next to last heater arrangement... it shows that exactly...
 
Dennis Alwon said:
I am not so sure about that. The #14 is fine but I think these units may be wired to 2 different wattages. The difference between a 240v vs 208v is usually 75% so a 2500 watt unit at 240v would be about 1875 watts at 208V.

Notice the next to last heater arrangement... it shows that exactly...
Click to expand...
That 2500/2000 is exactly the reciprocal of 0.8, or equal to the 1.25 multiplier for continuous loads.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
I am not so sure about that. The #14 is fine but I think these units may be wired to 2 different wattages. The difference between a 240v vs 208v is usually 75% so a 2500 watt unit at 240v would be about 1875 watts at 208V.

Notice the next to last heater arrangement... it shows that exactly...
Click to expand...
You're right. I didn't look far enough down on the chart. But I don't think it's a matter of being wired to two different wattage is. It possibly a high / low selectable switch

But @gadfly56 makes a good point
 
From the instructions from https://www.menards.com/main/heatin...ic-baseboard-heater/09960/p-1444426123514.htm

MULTI-WATT BASEBOARD WIRING ON RIGHT SIDE
MODEL 8F2025 ONLY (See Figure 10)
1. Connect one supply wire to one heater wire.
2. Connect remaining supply wire to remaining heater wire.
3. Replace wiring compartment cover and secure with screw previously removed.
4. Selecting desired wattage:
a. For 2500 watt applications: No action is required. Heater is factory set for 2500 watts.
b. For 2000 watt applications (inset): Remove left wiring compartment cover. Cut red wire and cap both loose ends with approved wire connectors, or wrap both loose ends with electrical tape. Replace wiring compartment cover and secure with screw previously removed.
5. Turn power back on at the electrical panel board.

Cheers, Wayne
 
wwhitney said:
From the instructions from https://www.menards.com/main/heatin...ic-baseboard-heater/09960/p-1444426123514.htm

MULTI-WATT BASEBOARD WIRING ON RIGHT SIDE
MODEL 8F2025 ONLY (See Figure 10)
1. Connect one supply wire to one heater wire.
2. Connect remaining supply wire to remaining heater wire.
3. Replace wiring compartment cover and secure with screw previously removed.
4. Selecting desired wattage:
a. For 2500 watt applications: No action is required. Heater is factory set for 2500 watts.
b. For 2000 watt applications (inset): Remove left wiring compartment cover. Cut red wire and cap both loose ends with approved wire connectors, or wrap both loose ends with electrical tape. Replace wiring compartment cover and secure with screw previously removed.
5. Turn power back on at the electrical panel board.

Cheers, Wayne
Click to expand...
Why, quoting the directions is downright cheating!
 
wwhitney said:
From the instructions from https://www.menards.com/main/heatin...ic-baseboard-heater/09960/p-1444426123514.htm

MULTI-WATT BASEBOARD WIRING ON RIGHT SIDE
MODEL 8F2025 ONLY (See Figure 10)
1. Connect one supply wire to one heater wire.
2. Connect remaining supply wire to remaining heater wire.
3. Replace wiring compartment cover and secure with screw previously removed.
4. Selecting desired wattage:
a. For 2500 watt applications: No action is required. Heater is factory set for 2500 watts.
b. For 2000 watt applications (inset): Remove left wiring compartment cover. Cut red wire and cap both loose ends with approved wire connectors, or wrap both loose ends with electrical tape. Replace wiring compartment cover and secure with screw previously removed.
5. Turn power back on at the electrical panel board.

Cheers, Wayne
Click to expand...

Just as I suspected. Good to know I haven't lost it all yet. lol
 
wwhitney said:
From the instructions from https://www.menards.com/main/heatin...ic-baseboard-heater/09960/p-1444426123514.htm

MULTI-WATT BASEBOARD WIRING ON RIGHT SIDE
MODEL 8F2025 ONLY (See Figure 10)
1. Connect one supply wire to one heater wire.
2. Connect remaining supply wire to remaining heater wire.
3. Replace wiring compartment cover and secure with screw previously removed.
4. Selecting desired wattage:
a. For 2500 watt applications: No action is required. Heater is factory set for 2500 watts.
b. For 2000 watt applications (inset): Remove left wiring compartment cover. Cut red wire and cap both loose ends with approved wire connectors, or wrap both loose ends with electrical tape. Replace wiring compartment cover and secure with screw previously removed.
5. Turn power back on at the electrical panel board.

Cheers, Wayne
Click to expand...
Sir you're a gentleman and a scholar! So is #14 on a 15A breaker adequate for 2500W as others said it is? 13A on a 15A breaker doesnt seem right. Or can you put 14awg wire on a 20A breaker in this instance?
 
olly said:
Sir you're a gentleman and a scholar! So is #14 on a 15A breaker adequate for 2500W as others said it is? 13A on a 15A breaker doesnt seem right. Or can you put 14awg wire on a 20A breaker in this instance?
Click to expand...
Yes 14 gauge on a 2500 watt heater is compliant.

2500/240= 10.4 amps x 1.25 = 13 amps. Not an issue. It isn't 13 amps on a 15 amp breaker, it is 10.4 amps on a 15 amp breaker
 
Dennis Alwon said:
Yes 14 gauge on a 2500 watt heater is compliant.

2500/240= 10.4 amps x 1.25 = 13 amps. Not an issue. It isn't 13 amps on a 15 amp breaker, it is 10.4 amps on a 15 amp breaker
Click to expand...
Thanks Dennis! Could I put all 3 on one 40A breaker and use # 8? I have some left over #8 NM? I am not sure I would want to deal with the hassle of it. Just curious if its compliant?
Each baseboard will have an interregnal thermostat, so I dont have to worry about the load through the stat
 
Last edited:
olly said:
Thanks Dennis! Could I put all 3 on one 40A breaker and use # 8? I have some left over #8 NM? I am not sure I would want to deal with the hassle of it. Just curious if its compliant?
Each baseboard will have an interregnal thermostat, so I dont have to worry about the load through the stat
Click to expand...

It would be a nightmare to install the heaters with a wire that size

Branch circuits supplying two or more outlets for fixed electric
space-heating equipment shall be rated not over
30 amperes. In other than a dwelling unit, fixed infrared heating
equipment shall be permitted to be supplied from branch
circuits rated not over 50 amperes
Click to expand...
 
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