Water Heaters - 80gallon electric Bradford White, what size wiring and breaker?

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unsung
08-12-09, 07:23 AM
I'm going to install a Bradford White 80 gal electric hot water heater, looking for what size breaker to use. I'm thinking it is a 2 pole 20A??? but I need confirmation. TIA.

ray2047
08-12-09, 07:34 AM
Look om the name plate or manufactures instructions for total amps or watts. Usually it would be 10-2 30a double pole breaker.
furd
08-12-09, 01:25 PM
Most water heaters are wired for "non-simultaneous" operation of the heating elements. You need to take the nameplate rating in watts and divide that by the voltage to get the amperage required. Multiply the amperage by 125% (1.25) to get the required branch circuit ampacity. Most likely it will be in excess of 20 amperes but less than 30 amperes. If this is the case you need to use #10 conductors. If the calculation is less than or equal to 25 amperes you may use a 25 ampere circuit breaker if such is available for your panel, otherwise you will need a 30 ampere circuit breaker.

Note that you MUST size the circuit to 125% of the rated load in order to be code compliant.