Hey, buddy! Do you have a water heater? I bet you absolutely fear electrical accidents, right? Oh, I do too! But fear not! I have all the information you need to prevent such incidents!
If you wanna prevent any potential hazards, you must choose the appropriate amp breaker for your water heater. Every electric device requires a circuit to operate. It provides the water heater power from the main electric supply.
It breaks the incoming current and gives each device the required amount. An amp breaker will effectively divide the current to ensure your water heater keeps working. If you are not careful in providing the right amount of current, things can go wrong. These measures can help you balance out your electricity consumption.
You can avoid putting too much load on one circuit breaker. Therefore, before setting up your water heater, you must find a suitable breaker. So what amp breaker for water heater do you need?
Benefits of An Amp Circuit Breaker
Benefit
Explanation
Overload Protection
Amp circuit breakers protect electrical circuits from overloading. They can detect and interrupt the excessive current flow, preventing damage to it and averting potential fire hazards.
Short Circuit Protection
Suppose there is a short circuit and an abnormally high current flow. In that case, amp circuit breakers quickly trip and cut off the power supply, preventing damage to the electrical equipment, wiring, and other components.
Fire Prevention
By providing overload and short circuit protection, amp circuit breakers significantly reduce the risk of electrical fires. They are a safety measure to prevent excessive heat buildup and potential ignition points in the electrical system.
Convenience
Unlike fuses, which require replacement after tripping, you can reset amp circuit breakers after an overload or short circuit event. This convenience saves time and cost.
Adjustability
Amp circuit breakers offer the flexibility to adjust their ampere rating to match the specific requirements of the electrical system, allowing customization and optimization of the circuit protection.
Enhanced Safety
Amp circuit breakers contribute to improved safety in electrical installations. They have safety features like arc fault detection, ground fault protection, and tamper resistance, reducing electrical accidents, electrocution, and property damage.
Long-term Cost Savings
Amp circuit breakers may have a higher upfront cost, unlike fuses. However, they offer long-term cost savings. Since you can easily reset them, it eliminates frequent fuse replacements, reducing maintenance expenses.
How to Find the Right Amp Breaker for a water heater
Following are some of the parameters that can help you find an ideal amp breaker for your water heater.
Analyzing Your Water Heater
Your water heater will usually pride you with all the information you need to find the circuit breaker. You can also get the manufacturer’s guide. It can help you learn about the specifications of your water heater.
The information regarding the power supply is mentioned on the heater. Several symbols on the body indicate its requirements for breakers. If it does not require a three-phase power source, then it does not need a breaker. However, most water heaters are electric, so you need to arrange for the breakers.
The size of your water heater depends upon the gallon or tank capacity. The higher the gallon size is the larger will be your water heater. The amp breaker size also increases if you opt for a massive water heater.
Voltage
Rating is one of the key factors that will determine the right amp breaker for your water heater. It specifies the total power that the circuit can behold without failure. At this voltage, the circuit will only interrupt the supply when necessary.
High, medium, and low are the three voltage ranges that can help identify the amp breaker for your water heater. The voltage on your heater will mention the required amount of voltage.
Most water heaters usually operate on 100-120 volts. Some may even need 220 to 240 volts. The voltage also depends upon the size and features of your water heater. Therefore, most water heaters will either work on a low or medium-voltage circuit breaker. The breaker you will choose will employ different methods to break the current on this voltage.
Wiring
The wires from the water heater are connected to the circuit breaker. There are two wires leading from the water heater to the circuit breaker. One is black and the other can be white or red.
The circuit breaker has the same colored wires. It gives users an idea regarding the wire connection. The same colored wires are attached.
Circuit Breakers for Water Heaters
A double pole breaker works on high-power appliances. Equipment such as water heaters, dryers, and air conditioners use these breakers. moreover, most water heaters use 240 volts of electric potential. Therefore, such breakers are compatible with this voltage.
Structure
These can efficiently secure the two wires coming from the water heater
The two poles on the circuit are connected
Both the electric wires join together to form a neutral wire
In case of pole trips, the entire circuit will break.
Durable Cable
It uses a non-metallic cable that has rubber insulation on top. They enclose the conducting wires inside. These are more suitable for electric appliances as they are quite safe to use.
If you know about the properties of your water heater, you can calculate the amp size it will help you find the appropriate amp breaker for the water heater.
Formula For Breaker Size
First, you need to calculate the current required for your water heater. You can use the following formula:
Current (ampere)=Power Watts÷ Electric potential (Volts)
Once you get the current you need to find out the circuit breaker size. According to the regulations issued by the authorities, you must follow the load capacity. It helps you ensure that the circuit breaker helps you avoid instances of overload and excessive trips. Therefore, you must always set the load capacity at 125%.
To find out the circuit size you need to multiply your calculated current by 125. The product will help you find the right amp breaker for your water heater. If you get the result of 32.5 you can get a circuit breaker of 35 amp.
FAQs
Can I use a 20 amp circuit breaker for my water heater?
To use a 20 amp circuit breaker, you must consider the gallon size of your water heater. If it is less than 20 then you can use a 20 amp circuit breaker. You can use the power and voltage value of your water heater to calculate the size of the breaker.
What amp size will work for a 240 volt water heater?
For a 240 volts water heater, a 20 to 35-amp breaker size will be appropriate. However, to get a more precise idea, you can use the formula. Add the watts of power necessary for your water heater to the formula. Proceed with multiplying the result with load capacity and you’ll know what you need.
Conclusion
That’s it, folks! The right circuit breaker can enhance the longevity of your appliances. They will not only protect the water heater but also ensure that power travels seamlessly. If your circuit breaker continues to trip, then assess it.
Change the breaker if it is not a double pole. If it still does not work, use the calculation and find the right amp breaker for the water heater.
Hi everyone! My name is Jason, and I am the founder of HeaterWise.com. Having run my own business as a Heating Engineer for 21 years, I have picked up a few things along the way.
I wanted to create Heater Wise as a place where anyone could come, from far and wide, to find the information that they need.
I hope you will join us here at Heater Wise, to get started on your own journey, to expand your knowledge, and make the best heating choices for you and your family.
