Have trouble wiring your new electric water heater? Read this article to learn how to properly connect the components of your new unit. You’ll learn about 240-volt circuits, Bonding wire, and Romex 10/2 cable. Also, you’ll learn about No Neutral wire and other important considerations. Read on to learn about the basic electrical wiring of your electric water heater. Getting started can be easy once you have a basic understanding of the different types of wiring.
Electric water heater wiring diagram
Bonding wire
You might be asking yourself whether you need bonding wire in your electric water heater wiring. If so, you’re not alone. The use of bonding wire can be vital to the safety of your water heater and your home’s electrical system. Bonding wire can also help prevent electrolysis and bypass copper-to-steel fittings. Here’s how it works. And if you’re still unsure, read on to learn more.
Romex 10/2 cable
If you have an electric water heater in your home, you should have the Romex 10/2 cable for water-heater wiring already installed. To install a water-heater wiring system, follow the steps below. Before connecting the water heater to the electrical system, be sure that the heating element and thermostat are properly connected. If you have a gas water heater, you may need a separate 30-amp circuit to power the unit.
240-volt circuit
You’ll need a dedicated 240-volt circuit to power your electric water heater. These units typically require a dedicated circuit with a 30-amp breaker and 10-gauge copper wire. If you already have a water heater that requires 240-volt wiring, you can use the same breaker, but be sure to replace the existing circuit with a 30-amp breaker. The National Electrical Code recommends using a non-metallic cable with a corresponding smaller gauge.
No neutral wire
If you’re not sure if your water heater has a neutral wire, read this article to learn why. While most conventional water heaters don’t use a neutral wire, more modern ones often do. Electric water heaters are wired using a two-wire flexible armor-clad cable, which is covered in black, white, and bare copper wire. The hot conductor is sheathed in black, and the neutral carries the energy away. In addition, the ground wire is made of bare copper, which conducts excess energy.
Size of wire
The size of wire for an electric water heater will depend on the amperage drawn by the unit. A 3,000-watt heater on 120V will use 45 amps, so the correct wire size for this unit is 8 gauge. The wire size is also based on the voltage that the water heater uses, which is typically 220-250V with a double circuit breaker. Most electric water heaters have the same voltage requirements.
Electrical connections
The first step in completing electrical connections for an electric water heater is to identify the wires to be attached to the water heater. The wires should be colored white or black, and are usually identified by electrical tape. The black wire from the water heater’s feed circuit should be twisted with one of the water heater’s white wires and tied to a wire connector. The white feed wire should be labeled “current-carrying line” and tied to the second hot pole of a 240-volt breaker or the neutral bus.
Safety
Before installing your new electric water heater, you should be aware of the safety issues that come with electrical work. The water heater itself uses 240 volts, a high-amperage current, and this can be deadly if someone gets too close. Using a circuit breaker to safely wire the unit can prevent such accidents. Ensure that all wires are secured before closing the junction box. Also, make sure that you understand the wiring diagrams and labels.
