If you’re wondering what size breaker you need for a water heater, you’re not alone. It’s a common question, and one that has a simple answer. In most cases, you’ll need a breaker that’s 30 amps or less.
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Introduction
If you have ever gone to your breaker box to find that one of your breakers has tripped, or if you have flipped a switch only to find that the power isn’t working, then you know how important circuit breakers are. But what many people don’t know is how to determine what size breaker they need for a given appliance or piece of equipment.
This can be especially confusing when it comes to appliances that use a lot of power, such as water heaters. So, what size breaker do you need for a water heater?
Here is a quick overview of everything you need to know about choosing the right size breaker for your water heater:
The Basics: How Circuit Breakers Work
Before we get into the specifics of choosing a circuit breaker for a water heater, it is important to understand the basics of how circuit breakers work.
Circuit breakers are designed to protect your home’s electrical wiring from being overloaded. They work by sensing when too much current is flowing through the electrical circuits and then shutting off the power before any damage can be done.
Each circuit in your home is protected by its own individual breaker, and each breaker has its own specific amperage rating. This rating tells you how much current the breaker can handle before it needs to trip.
For example, if you have a 20-amp circuit breaker, that means it can safely handle up to 20 amps of current before it trips. If more than 20 amps of current flow through that circuit, the breaker will trip and shut off the power.
Why Size Matters: The Importance of Choosing the Right Breaker
Now that you understand how circuit breakers work, it should be clear why choosing the right size breaker is so important. If you choose a breaker that is too small for the appliance or equipment it is protecting, then it will trip too often. This can be annoying and inconvenient, and it can also cause serious damage to your electrical system if it happens frequently enough.
On the other hand, if you choose a breaker that is too large for the appliance or equipment it is protecting, then you could end up with an overload on your circuit. This can be just as dangerous as having a Breaker that trips too often because it can cause overheating and potentially start an electrical fire.
How to determine the size of breaker you need for a water heater
One of the first things an electrician or homeowner needs to do when sizing a breaker is to find the number of watts required to power the device. To find this number, multiply the volts by the amps listed on the nameplate. For example, if a water heater has a nameplate that reads 240 volts, 4500 watts, it will require a 20-amp double pole breaker.
Once you have determined the number of watts required to power the water heater, you need to find the amperage rating of the breaker by dividing the watts by 120. For example, if a water heater requires 4500 watts, you would divide 4500 by 120 to get 37.5. This means that you would need a 40-amp double pole breaker for your water heater.
The difference between a standard and a double-pole breaker
There are two types of circuit breakers: standard and double-pole. Standard breakers (also known as single-pole breakers) are typically used for 120-volt circuits and are available in 15- through 100-amp models. Double-pole breakers are typically used for 240-volt circuits and are available in 30- through 60-amp models.
The NEC and local codes for breakers
The NEC (National Electric Code) requires a certain size breaker for water heaters. The required ampacity is 80% of the heater’s current draw. The minimum circuit breaker size for most residential water heaters is 30 amps. Some local codes may require a larger breaker, so it’s always best to check with your local code enforcement office before installing a new water heater.
Conclusion
A 20-amp circuit breaker is the most common size used for residential 120-volt circuits. The 15-amp and 20-amp breakers are usually interchangeable in many cases, so it’s not unusual to find a 20-amp circuit with a 15-amp breaker.
