Added switch for Hot Water Heater inside

[manvel]

I install the switch for my water heater,I check the lugs on the breakers while I had the panel off.Found one that was not tighten at all.Good ideal to check while you are in there.

[BillMFl]

And by posting "hot water heater" you also showed how many nits a nitpicker picks, haha. It must be winter and the shut ins found something to do. 83 here in Tampa today. Would that be considered hot? Not for me but I bet the Canucks staying down here are peeled to their underwear.

[dcheatwood]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Why not just "Water Heater" Why would you want to heat hot water?

My thoughts also. Folks down here say "hot water heater" but my plumber dad always corrected us. Water Heater. Ha. Either way, I love this job and will be doing mine soon. Tried it in wildcat but never got the light to work. ???? This looks easier in the rockwood.

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by Iggy

I have a 2012 378TS and it only has the 120 volt switch outside at the hot water heater. I know why but still wanted to add a switch inside.
I could use the circuit breaker but they are not meant to be used as a switch.

So I bought a switch light combo at Home Depot and used a small amount of wire.

1. I removed the electrical panel and removed the 3 wires from the hot water heater. (black, white and bare copper)
It was long enough to reach the hole I cut above the electric panel.

2. I added about 18" of romex wire from the electrical panel to the new switch and mounted in the wall with a blue electric box. NOTE:I found all the wiring was with #12 AWG (rated 20amps) instead of #14 AWG (rated at 15 amps) . Good job FR.

3. Now when I want to turn on my electric for the water heater in the morning before showering all I have to do it turn on the switch and the red light comes on to show me it is ON.

I could have located it at a different location but I always try to keep it simple and the present location would be hard to accidently turn it on or off. I plan to add stickers to make it look more professional.

Very easy project for about $10 and an hour of time.

Do not understand FR did it right by using 12ga rated at 20 amps then @ 14awg. rated at 15 amps. The larger the wire the less heat it will produce. I would much more want 12ga. instead of 14 ga. Your breaker works off the appliance amps not the size of wire, a larger gage wire will not get as hot...Sorry but you confused me with that statement. You also have to add in voltage drop. Your voltage will drop less with the larger wire and distance it has to travel....

[dcheatwood]

Originally Posted by manvel

I install the switch for my water heater,I check the lugs on the breakers while I had the panel off.Found one that was not tighten at all.Good ideal to check while you are in there.

Thanks for the thought.

[dcheatwood]

Originally Posted by gljurczyk

Do not understand FR did it right by using 12ga rated at 20 amps then @ 14awg. rated at 15 amps. The larger the wire the less heat it will produce. I would much more want 12ga. instead of 14 ga. Your breaker works off the appliance amps not the size of wire, a larger gage wire will not get as hot...Sorry but you confused me with that statement. You also have to add in voltage drop. Your voltage will drop less with the larger wire and distance it has to travel....

I think he said he found 12g and not 14g. That's a good thing, right?

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by dcheatwood

I think he said he found 12g and not 14g. That's a good thing, right?

Yes you are right, for some reason I read it as he changed from 12 to 14 ga. I even read it 4 times, I guess I'm getting mush brain as I get older......

[sherman12]

I think most in my neck of the woods, WNY State, would call it the hot water tank, or "honey did you turn on the hot water tank heater" IMHO LOL!

[KMP44]

Originally Posted by sherman12

I think most in my neck of the woods, WNY State, would call it the hot water tank, or "honey did you turn on the hot water tank heater" IMHO LOL!

Don't hear it called the hot water tank that often, but this time of year, its common to hear somebody say they have to "unthaw" the pipes. I can never resist asking why they want frozen pipes.

And since you mentioned being from WNY - I would take a cheap shot and bet you drink "pop" but that might be going too far off topic...

[B47]

Originally Posted by KMP44

Don't hear it called the hot water tank that often, but this time of year, its common to hear somebody say they have to "unthaw" the pipes. I can never resist asking why they want frozen pipes.

And since you mentioned being from WNY - I would take a cheap shot and bet you drink "pop" but that might be going too far off topic...

I was born and raised in Henrietta, NY (just South of Rochester) and we called it "pop" and all "pop" came in glass bottles and there was a 5 cent per bottle deposit required for each bottle purchased from a vending machine and not returned. That "pop" tasted much better than the stuff today.

Our evening meal was called "supper" also.

[Falcon35]

Originally Posted by B47

I was born and raised in Henrietta, NY (just South of Rochester) and we called it "pop" and all "pop" came in glass bottles and there was a 5 cent per bottle deposit required for each bottle purchased from a vending machine and not returned. That "pop" tasted much better than the stuff today.

Our evening meal was called "supper" also.

Just like Ontario.

I think we moved a long way from water heater.

[B47]

Originally Posted by Falcon35

Just like Ontario.

I think we moved a long way from water heater.

That happens sometimes.

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by gljurczyk

Yes you are right, for some reason I read it as he changed from 12 to 14 ga. I even read it 4 times, I guess I'm getting mush brain as I get older......

I am an electrician and yes it was wired with #12 awg wire on the 15 amp breaker. I had #14 awg and used it from the breaker tot he switch and from the switch to the heater I used the existing #12 awg.
This is legal as long as it stays on a 15 amp circuit breaker. If I changed to a 20 amp all the wired must be #12awg.
The heating element is only 1440 watts and at 120 volt that pulls 12 amp which still safe.
Any questions class?

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by B47

I was born and raised in Henrietta, NY (just South of Rochester) and we called it "pop" and all "pop" came in glass bottles and there was a 5 cent per bottle deposit required for each bottle purchased from a vending machine and not returned. That "pop" tasted much better than the stuff today.

Our evening meal was called "supper" also.

Born, raised and married in Trenton, MO and we drank pop in glass bottles with a 2cent refund and our noon meal was dinner and evening meal was supper. We also said "yes sir and yes mam".

[B47]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Born, raised and married in Trenton, MO and we drank pop in glass bottles with a 2cent refund and our noon meal was dinner and evening meal was supper. We also said "yes sir and yes mam".

Yes you and I have some simillaries in our backgrounds. We also opened doors for our elders.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by B47

Yes you and I have some simillaries in our backgrounds. We also opened doors for our elders.

All ladies of any age.

[B47]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

All ladies of any age.

You beat me to my editing to include that - still do. But I have heard that some ladies don't like that being done for them sometimes -sad.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

All ladies of any age.

It was mandatory or else! Especially when we started dating.

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by falcon35

just like ontario.
i think we moved a long way from water heater

Yes and I started the first message about my water heater switch.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by Iggy

Yes and I started the first message about my water heater switch.

If you are going to switch your water heater, may I suggest tankless.....