heater: 16.7 amps times 1.25 = is #12 awg ok?

[curt swartz]

The Decorator switches Infratech sells are just standard 1P 20 amp switches. They connect to only 1 leg of of the heater.

We install quite a few Infratech heaters but never supply them directly through a switch. If the project has a lighting control system such as Lutron Homeworks, Lutron RadioRA, Control4, etc. we use the Infratech Home Management Panels. If the job does not have a lighting control system we supply the heaters through contactors.

We always install a timer as part of the controls so the heaters don't get accidentally turned on or left on after use,

One other thing. NEVER let interior designers order things like heaters and controls. They have not clue what they are ordering. Tell them to choose the style, color, etc. and you will take care of getting the product.

 

[electrofelon]

Can you legally use a single pole switch to control a heater? .

to "control", sure. Where it may not be code compliant is if you are using that switch to also meet an article 424 disconnect requirement. You'd have to look at the type of heater and what the disconnect requirements are.

 

[acrwc10]

no timer or controller, per "the designer",,,,,,, that is not a good move. These heaters can run up quite the electric bill fast, especially if the switch is in a location where kids or gardeners or house cleaners can turn them on not knowing what it controls. I had a costumer who had a bank of heaters on wall switches outside, while on vacation the gardener turned them on (who knows why?) but when they returned home 2 weeks later they got one hell of a PG&E bill. 6 heaters on all day and all night for 2 weeks is something like 8,000 KWH. back then I think the rate was $0.32 per KWH that's about $2,500 extra on the bill that month.

 

[robertd]

If you use a single pole switch I think it will need to be rated for 240 volts, not 120.