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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Iron Mountain, MI
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    41

    Default Water Heater Connection

    Hi:

    This water heater (typical electric 40-g), is wired with 2 #12 gauge wires, that connect to a double-pole 20-amp breaker in the main panel box. Is this ok?

    Thanks,
    Joe

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Southern Vancouver Island
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    4,607

    Default Re: Water Heater Connection

    Quote Originally Posted by Joe Arcaro View Post
    Hi:

    This water heater (typical electric 40-g), is wired with 2 #12 gauge wires, that connect to a double-pole 20-amp breaker in the main panel box. Is this ok?

    Thanks,
    Joe
    No, it is an obvious hack job and needs to be corrected.

    John Kogel, RHI, BC HI Lic #47455
    www.allsafehome.ca

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Rockwall Texas
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    4,521

    Default Re: Water Heater Connection

    Nice air freshener though.

    rick


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Atlanta, Georgia
    Posts
    1,088

    Default Re: Water Heater Connection

    I know you didn't ask but the TPR discharge pipe is missing.

    "The Code is not a peak to reach but a foundation to build from."

  5. #5
    James Duffin's Avatar
    James Duffin Guest

    Default Re: Water Heater Connection

    Quote Originally Posted by Joe Arcaro View Post
    Hi:

    This water heater (typical electric 40-g), is wired with 2 #12 gauge wires, that connect to a double-pole 20-amp breaker in the main panel box. Is this ok?

    Thanks,
    Joe
    One #12 is ok if the heater has 3500 watt elements. The wiring method is questionable though.


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Southern Vancouver Island
    Posts
    4,607

    Default Re: Water Heater Connection

    Quote Originally Posted by James Duffin View Post
    One #12 is ok if the heater has 3500 watt elements. The wiring method is questionable though.
    It is more than that. It is dangerous. One of the two hot wires could come in contact with the tank, or a person reaching around the tank could get shocked. The second feeder is redundant - amateur does not know what is required. The single cable required should be protected with a flexible conduit, and the conduit needs to be terminated at the heater with a clamp.
    People are always piling crap on top of their water heaters. The connections have to be done right, period.

    It is a good bet there are other screwups in this place not shown in the pics of the tank and the panel. A qualified electrician needs to go over the whole house, IMO from here.

    Last edited by John Kogel; 09-28-2010 at 04:09 PM.
    John Kogel, RHI, BC HI Lic #47455
    www.allsafehome.ca

  7. #7
    James Duffin's Avatar
    James Duffin Guest

    Default Re: Water Heater Connection

    Quote Originally Posted by John Kogel View Post
    It is more than that. It is dangerous. One of the two hot wires could come in contact with the tank, or a person reaching around the tank could get shocked. The second feeder is redundant - amateur does not know what is required. The single cable required should be protected with a flexible conduit, and the conduit needs to be terminated at the heater with a clamp.
    People are always piling crap on top of their water heaters. The connections have to be done right, period.

    It is a good bet there are other screwups in this place not shown in the pics of the tank and the panel. A qualified electrician needs to go over the whole house, IMO from here.
    I was just answering the OP question but I agree with what you said.


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