Baseboard Electric Heater Circuit Wiring
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Can I Put More Than One Set of Baseboard Heaters on the Same Circuit Breaker? How to Install a Baseboard Heater, Electrical Circuit Wiring. |
Install Wiring for a Baseboard Heater
Electrical Question: Can I Put More Than One Set of Baseboard Heaters on the Same Circuit Breaker?
I am Installing 240Volt Baseboard Heaters in my Home.
- I have done the BTU calculations to install the correct size baseboard heater for each room. My question is: Can I put more than one room or set of heaters on the same breaker, provided the combined amperage does not exceed the breaker amp rating and the wattage’s are not exceeded.
This electrical wiring question came from: Mark, a Electrician from Richmond, Virginia.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Mark.
Install a Baseboard Heater Circuit
Application: Wiring a Baseboard Heater.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced. This electrical wiring project is best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools, electric drill, auger bits and extension cord.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools and install electrical circuit wiring.
Notice: Installing an additional baseboard heater circuit should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.
How to Install a Baseboard Heater Electric Circuit
- Baseboard Heater Circuit
Yes Mark, One circuit can be used for more than one baseboard heater in different locations as long as the circuit wire size is the same as the heater unit internal electrical wiring. - Circuit Breaker
The concern is that the circuit breaker must provide protection for the smallest amperage capacity of any wire that is a part of the circuit. - Wire Size
This is based upon the heater wire size and the insulation type. - 240 Volt Baseboard Heater
When installing a 240 volt circuit for baseboard heaters it is very common to have more than one unit on a circuit due to the lower amperage per unit.
IMPORTANT:
Please keep in mind that the manufacturers circuit specifications are the ultimate guide due to the UL Listing.
More about Installing and Wiring a Baseboard Heater
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Can you run the maximum wattage through a line voltage thermostat, or does it need to be 20% less than is listed. For example, can I use a 15 amp thermostat that is rated for 3600 watts, and run 3500 watts through it? Thanks
Steve, if the thermostat is specifically rated for 3600 watts then that should be ok. Check the manufacturers specs and if that is their rating then your good to go within the limits of that UL approved rating.
Dave
Does electric heat unit or thermostat in a bathroom need to be GFI protected? It would be installed next to a toilet bowl and 18″ from a shower.. Thank You
Electric Heaters are very necessary in our daily life and now a day’s these are really cheap and comes with latest technologies.
This is one of the best way for heating in our properties.
I have a baseboard heater ready to be hooked up in a bedroom. I had a contracter run the wiring and the room has been plastered since. My question is, the main power wire coming directly from the panel comes to the heater. Then from there, there is another wire ran to the thermostat location across the room. It is a 240 volt, 750 watt, 3.1 amp heater all ran with 12-2 wire. Wiring diagrams on both the heater and thermostat are very vague at best. How can I hook this up to work properly? Do i need a double pole thermostat and breaker? According to the heater booklet all it says is a 15 amp breaker. Thanks!
Hi Nate,
To be precise I would need to know the Make and Model Number of the baseboard heater. Typical baseboard heaters are 120 or 240 volt, requiring a 1-pole or 2-pole circuit breaker respectively. The 12/2 circuit cable that has been installed may be used for either 120 or 240 volt, and a 15 or 20 amp circuit breaker may be used as specified in the instructions with the wiring in in the panel and to the circuit breaker configured accordingly. If the baseboard heater is 240 volt then a 2-pole thermostat is typically required, however the actual heater you have may have a slightly different type of control. Many baseboard heaters will either have a built in thermostat located at one end of the heater or a remote wall thermostat may be installed with the appropriate wiring as specified.
Dave
I have electric heat in one bathroom. I ran a 12 wire to another small bath out of the same wall box of the thermostat in first bathroom. Both heaters are only 3′. The first wall thermostat is wired with the whites tied together, and the blacks are separate. How do I connect the 12 wire to feed the other bathroom to a thermostat on the heater. Do I split the wire in box?
Hi Elmer,
An electrical circuit may only be shared with more than one heater if the circuit is dedicated and the circuit capacity will support an additional wall heater. Additionally, each wall heater that is located in separate rooms must be controlled by individual thermostats that are located in each room. There are several types of wall heaters and thermostats that are available with specific installation requirements, therefore please refer to the installation manual for the specific wall heater that you have.
I hope this helps,
Dave
Does the NEC Code specify any max height for baseboard heaters? Generally the units can be installed on the floor or just above the base board trim. I can’t install under my windows and on the north wall because I have pipes that prevent me from making a floor level installation. How high from the floor can I install the unit?
Hi Bob,
I haven’t seen a specific NEC Code concerning the height of a baseboard heater. The main concern is that the area is clear of flammable materials, such as drapes, sofa couches etc.. One advantage to installing a baseboard heater closer to the floor would be the natural convection process of heating the cooler air at the floor level, however the convection process will still heat the space if the unit is mounted higher.
One thought would be to fir out away from the pipes with framing materials that are wrapped with sheet rock, just an idea.
I hope this helps,
Dave