Moreover, these systems need a dedicated 240-volt circuit to operate safely and efficiently. Similarly, electric tankless water heaters always require electricity to run. Otherwise, you cannot heat water, even with an adequate gas supply. These technologies still require electricity to operate. However, gas-powered tankless water heaters have electronic ignition systems, electronic thermostats, and a PC board. Some homeowners think that gas-powered tankless water heaters do not need electricity since these appliances run on propane or natural gas to heat the water. Many people ask if they need to install a separate circuit breaker for their tankless water heaters. Do I Need a Separate Circuit Breaker for My Tankless Water Heater? On the other hand, an 11-kW appliance connected to a 60-amp breaker must use a 6-gauge wire. As a rule, the higher the amperage or wattage rating is, the greater the electric wire’s diameter should be (the lower the gauge number).įor example, you can use an 8-gauge electric wire for a 7.6-kW tankless water heater with a 40-amp breaker. On the other hand, non-metallic wires are easier to handle and are cheaper.Īs for the electric wire gauge, it would be best to check your tankless water heater’s recommendations. Most electricians prefer MC cables because they are more resistant to ripping, cutting, and other physical forces. Experts recommend either a non-metallic (NM) or metal-clad (MC) electric wire to connect the tankless water heater to the circuit breaker. Using the correct electrical wire is also essential when making your tankless water heater’s electrical connections. Do I Have to Use the Correct Wire for a Tankless Water Heater Breaker? That is all you need for your gas tankless water heater, regardless of its BTU rating. Most gas tankless water heaters need a 120-volt dedicated circuit with a single-pole 15-amp circuit breaker. What Size Breaker Should I Get for a Gas-powered Tankless Water Heater?Ī gas tankless water heater has lower electrical requirements than an electric tankless water heater. While you can install a 25-amp circuit breaker for the water heater in this example, you risk damaging the appliance because of frequent tripping. Hence, your tankless water heater will need a 35-amp breaker. Multiplying 25 amperes by 125% (or 1.25) will give you 31.25 amperes. You must also account for the safety factor as required by the NEC. Unfortunately, your calculation does not end here. In that case, you need to divide 5,500 watts by 220 volts to get 25 amperes. For example, suppose your tankless water heater runs on 220 volts and 5,500 watts. The first thing you should do is to check your tankless water heater’s voltage and wattage ratings. The rule is to multiply the amperage requirements of appliances by 125% to determine the correct water heater circuit breaker size. The National Electric Code requires electricians to account for the electrical load to ensure safety when sizing a circuit breaker. Can I Calculate the Correct Breaker Sizing for My Electric Tankless Water Heater? Hence, if your water heater has three heating elements, you can expect to use three wires and three circuit breakers.įor example, my water heater demands 40 amps per wire, a total of 120 amps for the tankless water heater (40 amps x 3 wires or heating elements = 120 amps in three 40-amp circuit breakers). In general, tankless water heaters require 40 amps to 50 amps for each wire, corresponding to the appliance’s number of heating elements. You can also check the water heater breaker size chart for your appliance’s brand, model, and serial number from online resources. On the other hand, most Rinnai tankless water heaters can run on a 20-amp breaker. What Size of Circuit Breaker Do You Need for an Electric Tankless Water Heater?Īs mentioned, your tankless water heater comes with a user manual that specifies its electrical requirements, including the recommended hot water heater breaker size.įor example, EcoSmart tankless water heaters require one 30-amp breaker for its POU 3.5 and POU 6 tankless water heater models, while other variants like the ECO8 need 40-amp breakers. Do I Need a Separate Circuit Breaker for My Tankless Water Heater?.Do I Have to Use the Correct Wire for a Tankless Water Heater Breaker?.What Size Breaker Should I Get for a Gas-powered Tankless Water Heater?.Can I Calculate the Correct Breaker Sizing for My Electric Tankless Water Heater?.What Size of Circuit Breaker Do You Need for an Electric Tankless Water Heater?.
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