Having a warm shower or bath at anytime is a major convenience, and to make this possible, you need an electric water heater. This is especially true if you live in Harris County, which is known for its colder winter weather.
But the question is, what wire should you use for your electric water heater? In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about wiring an electric water heater. We will explore the different types of wires that can be used, and provide tips on how to properly install them in Harris County.
So if you want to keep your hot water running, read on to learn more!
What Wire Used for Electric Water Heater in Harris County?
While many water heaters across the U. S.use standard copper wiring, those installed in Harris County, Texas have different wiring requirements. Further complicating matters are the separate local wiring requirements for both new and existing systems.
Old Home With Existing Water Heaters
If you have an existing hot water heater in your home in Harris County, the 2020 National Electrical Code allows for two different types of wiring. The first is a branch circuit supplying a single disconnecting means.This requires a 240V circuit with either 10/2 or 8/2 gauge wire and a 30-amp double-pole circuit breaker. The second option is a multiwire branch circuit. This type of circuit requires two eight or 10 gauge hot conductors, a neutral and an equipment grounding conductor.
It also requires a two-pole, two-wire combination circuitbreaker of the same rating as the hot conductors. The circuit would be fed from a 240V source.
New Home Installations
If you are installing a hot water heater in a new home in Harris County, Texas, the 2020 National Electrical Code allows for three types of wiring setups. The first is a 240V circuit with either 10/2 or 8/2 gauge wire, a 30-amp double-pole circuit breaker and a single disconnecting means. The second type is a multiwire branch circuit.This requires two eight or 10 gauge hot conductors, a neutral, and an equipment grounding conductor. It also requires a two-pole, two-wire combination circuitbreaker of the same rating as the hot conductors. The circuit would be fed from a 240V source. The third option is a multiwire branch circuit with a 240-volt/120-volt transformer or a 240-volt/208-volt transformer. This requires two eight or 10 gauge hot conductors, a neutral, and an equipment grounding conductor. It also requires a two-pole, two-wire combination circuit breaker of the same rating as the hot conductors. The circuit would be fed from a 240V source, and the transformer would convert the voltage on one phase to 115V or 230V.