How to hookup and fuse electric heaters on a 220-volt circuit? I am wondering how to hookup and fuse electric heaters on a...
I am wondering how to hookup and fuse electric heaters on a 220-volt circuit? We currently have a 12-gauge wire where on earth both the white wire and the black wire are connected to the live (hot) nurture from the 220 volt breaker at the breaker panel. We are wondering whether or not there are 2 return (neutral) wires returning to the breaker panel, or maybe these aren't basic somehow. It is not obvious to us at the moment.
Thanks for any advice on this.
In a single phase 220 residential circuit you will have 2 hot leads (L1 and L2) that will come from the 2 pole breaker at the panel, and later you will have 1 common that will return. Make sure that the breaker is the correct size (not too small, but purely as important not bigger then the max allowed by the heating system, it should be stamped on the name plate on the unit). Many 220 V appliances do not require a neutral. Your totalling "fuse" to the question makes me edgy that you may not be protecting yourself properly. Twelve gauge wire is nominally rate to carry 20 amp. You need to kind certain your device(s) are not requiring more than that. Current codes DO require grounding of the device with a conductor stern to the panel.
2 # 12 cable, ( that required for the heater), will come
with Black & White insulated wires and a bare ground.
A 240V. radiator needs two Line wires and a ground.
When used for 240 V. circuits the white wire is NOT
a Neutral.
(When you hook it up, splodge it at both ends and at
any boxes or splices in the circuit.
- A red "Sharpie" marker is fine for this.)
Each rope is connected to one pole of the
2 pole breaker for the circuit.
Use no larger than 20A. breakers for #12 wire.
Feed no larger than 3800W. heaters with # 12 lead.
Answers: Each of those wires have 120V AC on it but 180 degrees out of phase with respectively other giving you 240V AC across the black and white wires. You do not need a neutral within that case but the ground wire is essential for safekeeping. You are probably connected with a standard 12-2 w/gnd cable and there is nought wrong with that. It is the same route the oven elements work in your range. The exception is near is a neutral wired to the range to bequeath you 120V for the stove top elements and clock, lights, etc.
It sounds lik you want to die soon. The wiring must be incorrect get an electrician until that time you fry