water heater

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wire monk

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How do you figure the amp draw of a water heater that has a top and bottom element of 4500 watts each and it is 240volts.
 
They are generally wired so the elements switch so only one is on at a time. Therefore (P=IxE) 4500 watts divided by 240 is 18.75 amps. 18.75 X 1.25 is 23.4 A - use a 30 A, 2 pole breaker and #10 copper conductors.
 
wire monk said:
How do you figure the amp draw of a water heater that has a top and bottom element of 4500 watts each and it is 240volts.
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Look at the label again: if it says "4500w top, 4500w bottom, 4500w total," then only one element can be on at a time.
 
bsh said:
They are generally wired so the elements switch so only one is on at a time. Therefore (P=IxE) 4500 watts divided by 240 is 18.75 amps. 18.75 X 1.25 is 23.4 A - use a 30 A, 2 pole breaker and #10 copper conductors.
Click to expand...

Could this be fed with #12 conductors on a 25 amp OCPD?

LarryFine said:
Look at the label again: if it says "4500w top, 4500w bottom, 4500w total," then only one element can be on at a time.
Click to expand...


The total is the key. ;)
 
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