Are you questioning what size wire for water heater should be?
we’ll show you below in a table the most important size wire for a water heater.
Before we get into the what size wire for water heater you should know first how to branch a circuit breaker for water heater please follow these instructions below:
Electrical Connections:
A separate branch circuit with copper conductors, an overcurrent protective gadget, and suitable disconnecting.
All wiring should conform to native codes or the newest version of National Electrical Code ANSI/NFPA 70.
The water heater is wired to the junction field contained in the jacket on the high entrance of the water heater. An opening for half″ or 3/4″ electrical becoming is offered for subject wiring connections.
The voltage necessities and wattage load for the water heater are specified on the score plate on the entrance of the water heater.
The department circuit wiring ought to embrace both:
1. Metallic conduit or metallic sheathed cable authorized to be used as a grounding conductor and put in with fittings accredited for the aim.
2. Non-metallic sheathed cable, metallic conduit, or metallic sheathed cable not approved to be used as a floor conductor shall embody a separate conductor for grounding. It must be connected to the bottom terminals of the water heater and {the electrical} distribution
What size wire for water heater?
Here is the Branch Circuit Sizing and Wire Size Guide:
Single Phase Wiring
| Total water Heater wattage | Recommended Over Current Protection ((fuse or circuit breaker amperage rating) | Copper Wire Size AWG Based on N.E.C. Table 310-16 (75°C) | ||||||
| 208 V | 240 V | 277 V | 480 V | 208 V | 240 V | 277 V | 480 V | |
| 3.000 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 |
| 4.000 | 25 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 14 |
| 4.500 | 30 | 25 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 14 |
| 5.000 | 30 | 30 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 14 |
| 5.500 | 35 | 30 | 25 | 15 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 14 |
| 6.000 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 20 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 12 |
| 8.000 | 50 | 45 | 40 | 25 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 |
| 9.000 | _ | 50 | 45 | 25 | _ | 8 | 8 | 10 |
| 10.000 | _ | _ | 50 | 30 | _ | _ | 8 | 10 |
| 11.000 | _ | _ | 50 | 30 | _ | _ | 8 | 10 |
| 12.000 | _ | _ | _ | 35 | _ | _ | _ | 8 |
3 Phase Wiring
| Total water Heater wattage | Recommended Over Current Protection ((fuse or circuit breaker amperage rating) | Copper Wire Size AWG Based on N.E.C. Table 310-16 (75°C) | ||||||
| 208 V | 240 V | 277 V | 480 V | 208 V | 240 V | 277 V | 480 V | |
| 3.000 | 20 | 20 | _ | 15 | 12 | 12 | _ | 14 |
| 4.000 | 25 | 25 | _ | 15 | 10 | 10 | _ | 14 |
| 4.500 | 30 | 25 | _ | 15 | 10 | 10 | _ | 14 |
| 5.000 | 30 | 30 | _ | 15 | 10 | 10 | _ | 14 |
| 5.500 | 35 | 30 | _ | 15 | 8 | 10 | _ | 14 |
| 6.000 | 35 | 30 | _ | 15 | 8 | 10 | _ | 14 |
| 8.000 | 45 | 40 | _ | 20 | 8 | 8 | _ | 12 |
| 9.000 | 50 | 45 | _ | 25 | 8 | 8 | _ | 10 |
| 10.000 | _ | 50 | _ | 25 | _ | 8 | _ | 10 |
| 11.000 | _ | 50 | _ | 25 | _ | 8 | _ | 10 |
| 12.000 | _ | _ | _ | 30 | _ | _ | _ | 10 |
Water Connections:
NOTE: BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH THE INSTALLATION, CLOSE THE MAIN WATER SUPPLY VALVE.
After shutting the principal water provide valve:
1) open a faucet to alleviate the water line strain to forestall any water from leaking out of the pipes whereas making the water connections to the water heater.
After the stress has been relieved
2) shut the tap.
The COLD water inlet and HOT water outlet are recognized on the prime of the water heater. The fittings on the cold water inlet and hot water outlet are dielectric waterway fittings with 3/4” NPT tapered male threads.
3) Make the right plumbing connections between the water heater and the plumbing system in the home. Install a shut-off valve within the cold water supply line.
If this water heater is put in a closed water supply system, such because the one having a back-flow preventer within the cold water provided, provisions shall be made to manage thermal growth.
4) DO NOT function this water heater in a closed system without provisions for controlling thermal enlargement. Your water supplier or native plumbing inspector must be contacted to find out how to manage this case.
After setting up of the water lines:
• open the principal water supply valve and fill the water heater.
While the water heater is filling:
• open several hot water taps to permit air to flee from the water system.
When a gradual stream of water flows via the taps:
• shut them and test all water connections for potential leaks. NEVER OPERATE THE WATER HEATER WITHOUT FIRST BEING CERTAIN IT IS FILLED WITH WATER.
Note: This water heater can deliver scalding temperature water at any faucet within the system. Be cautious at any time when utilizing hot water to keep away from scalding harm.
Certain home equipment, resembling dishwashers and computerized garments washers, might require increased temperature water.
By setting the thermostat on this water heater to obtain elevated temperature water required by these home equipment, chances are you’ll create the potential for scald damage.
To shield towards damage, you must set up an ASSE-approved mixing valve within the water system.
This valve will cut back the purpose of discharge temperature by mixing hot and cold water in department supply lines. Such valves can be found from the producer of this water heater or a neighborhood plumbing provider.
Please seek the advice of a plumbing skilled.
| APPROXIMATE TIME/TEMPERATURE RELATIONSHIPS IN SCALDS | |
| 120°F (49°C) | More than 5 minutes |
| 125°F (52°C) | 1½ to 2 minutes |
| 130°F (54°C) | About 30 seconds |
| 135°F (57°C) | About 10 seconds |
| 140°F (60°C) | Less than 5 seconds |
| 145°F (63°C) | Less than 3 seconds |
| 150°F (66°C) | About 1½ seconds |
| 155°F (68°C) | About 1 second |
Upright Models
The cold and warm water connections are recognized on the top of the water heater.
For backside inlet models (-503 fashions), the cold water inlet is positioned on the aspect of the drain valve.
- Connect the cold and hot water lines to the put-in nipples utilizing unions.
- Install a listed temperature-pressure reduction valve within the opening on the side of the water heater.
Lowboy Models
The cold and hot water connections are recognized on the highest of the water heater.
For backside inlet models (-503 fashions), the cold water inlet is situated on the side of the drain valve.
- Connect the cold and warm water traces to the put-in nipples using unions.
- Install a listed temperature-pressure aid valve within the opening on the side of the water heater.
Utility Models
All utility models are provided with inlet and outlet nipples located in a plastic bag connected to the water heater.
The cold and warm water places are identified on the side of the water heater. Apply an applicable quantity of thread sealant to the offered nipples and set up nipples into the aspect of the tank.
For 20-gallon utility models:
1. install the provided anode/nipple mixture on the HOT outlet location.
2. Connect the cold and hot water lines to the nipples utilizing unions.
3. Install a listed temperature-pressure reduction valve within the opening on the side of the water heater.
4. Install a vacuum relief anti-siphon system within the cold water inlet line when utilizing an aspect cold water connection.
The 6 and 12-gallon models are outfitted for setting up with both side or topwater connections. They are shipped from the manufacturing facility with alternate high connections plugged.
The alternate top inlet is supplied with a dip tube. If the topwater connections are wanted:
1. take away pipe plugs from the alternate high connections, apply the suitable quantity of thread sealant to the supplied nipples, and set up nipples in a desired high location.
2. Apply an acceptable quantity of thread sealant to the pipe plugs and set up pipe plugs within the aspect places. Install a vacuum aid anti-siphon system within the chilly water inlet line when using a side cold water connection.
Note: Some models could already be geared up or supplied with a mixture temperature and strain reduction valve. Verify that the combination temperature and pressure aid valve complies with native
3. Install a discharge line so that water discharged from the mixture temperature and pressure aid valve will exit inside six (6) inches (15.3cm) above, or any distance under the structural ground and can contact any stay electrical half.
4. The discharge line is to be put in to enable full drainage of each temperature and strain aid valve and the discharge line.
5. The discharge opening should not be subjected to blockage or freezing. DO NOT thread, plug or cap the discharge line. It is really useful {that a} minimal of 4 (4) inches (10.2 cm) be offered on the side of the water heater for servicing and upkeep of the mixture temperature and stress aid valve.
6. Do not place a valve between the mixture temperature and
7. Pressure aid valve and the tank codes. If the mixture temperature and pressure reduction valve does not adjust to native codes, exchange it with one which does.
Read also:
- How do you turn on an electric water heater?
- How to clean tankless water heater?
- How to fix a water heater pilot light?
- How to install hot water heater element?
- How to replace thermocouple on water heater?
- How to test a water heater element?
- How to turn up hot water heater electric?
- How to vent a tankless water heater?
- How to strap a water heater?
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR INLET/OUTLET PIPE INSULATION & TEMPERATURE/PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE INSULATION
1. If included, set up 2 ft. pipe insulation over each hot and cold outlet pipe.
2. If included, install temperature & stress reduction valve insulation over temperature & pressure aid valve.
Note: The water heater might solely have one T&P location.
