electric heater wire size

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Dennis Alwon said:
I am wrong again. I had a similar experience with a range cord. The specs called for a 20 amp cir but the cord was 15 amp. They said the only time it would be a problem is when both convection motors came on at once. I said that's right and I had the manufacturer send a service man and change the plug.

Now what do you do-- I would confront the mfg who is telling you 2 things. You can't legally use a 20 amp recep. on a single cir. with a 30 amp breaker and that is what is necessary. Actually they only call for #10 wiring not a 30 amp OCP so--- I give up.
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I've been following this as well and I think I am going to give up as well. ;)
Have a great Weekend.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
Now what do you do-- I would confront the mfg who is telling you 2 things. You can't legally use a 20 amp recep. on a single cir. with a 30 amp breaker and that is what is necessary. Actually they only call for #10 wiring not a 30 amp OCP so--- I give up.
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You speak Chinese ? Little humor there.
 
…and all this has what to do with Electrical Contracting and Estimating/Management? I am sorry maybe I am speaking out of turn but do newbies that join to ask a simple codebook 101 question in the wrong forum usually get this kind of attention?

Not trying to be a jerk here but all this time and energy spent on trying to educate a homeowner on how to hook up his water heater has got me perplexed.
 
electric heater wire size

Ito does seem to be a jerk. If he followed this closer he would know that the question was on a garage unit heater. Also, as many different opinions as I had, it must not be as simple minded as he thinks it is.
Sorry I posted this in the wrong area, but, all the other people who posted interesting opinions didn't seem to mind. I am an electrician in search of an answer to my problem, not a smart-ass opinion like Ito has.
 
electric heater size calculation

electric heater size calculation

Yes, it is cord and plug connected. It has a 20 amp plug on it, but recommends to run #10 supply wire for the circuit. I had already ran #12 for the circuit ahead of time, not thinking I would have a problem.
 
I'll throw this in, too:

Is this a single 4,000 watt element, or two 2,000 watt elements and there is a mechanism that prevents both from being energized at the same time?
 
leelectricco said:
Yes, it is cord and plug connected. It has a 20 amp plug on it, but recommends to run #10 supply wire for the circuit. I had already ran #12 for the circuit ahead of time, not thinking I would have a problem.
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With what I know, I would plug it in and walk away.
 
leelectricco, welcome to the forum!

I wouldn't worry about the placement of this question, if the first 2 responders didn't have a problem, then no one else really should either. (both are moderators)

This IS an interesting situation, and I think maybe a call to the manufacturer is in order. Do they want #10 wire on a 20 amp breaker and a 20 amp receptacle, or what?

They created the situation, ask them what they want.
 
Instead of getting a 3,000 watt unit, get a unit with two 2,000 watt elements. It will be more effecient than a single 4,000 watt unit and solve your wire-size dilemma.
 
JohnJ0906 said:
leelectricco, welcome to the forum!

I wouldn't worry about the placement of this question, if the first 2 responders didn't have a problem, then no one else really should either. (both are moderators)

This IS an interesting situation, and I think maybe a call to the manufacturer is in order. Do they want #10 wire on a 20 amp breaker and a 20 amp receptacle, or what?

They created the situation, ask them what they want.
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Very well stated.
 
electric heater wire size

Thanks to everyone for your opinions. It will help me decide which way to go.
I think I will go to a smaller size heater just because I worry if things are not as I think they should be.
Thanks
 
leelectricco said:
Yes, it is cord and plug connected. It has a 20 amp plug on it, but recommends to run #10 supply wire for the circuit. I had already ran #12 for the circuit ahead of time, not thinking I would have a problem.
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Recommends is not the same as required. The code book is full of things that are recommended but are not enforceable. If you already ran the circuit, slap a 20 Amp. receptacle in and call it a day. Let the homeowner buy the heater.
 
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