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How to Install Electrical Wiring for a Kitchen Hot Water Dispenser
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Circuit Requirements for a Hot Water Dispenser, Kitchen Hot Water Dispenser: By: Dave Rongey |
Installing a Hot Water Dispenser
Electrical Question: I have a hot water dispenser by Cecilware, model # HWD2. 120Volt 1.8KW, 15 amps.
- Inside, there is a hot wire (black wire) connected from hot wire of AC cord to a toggle switch (E60272) for heater.
- This inside black wire has burned out & AC plug 3 wires and cord get very hot.
- I replaced with new wire & new toggle switch because it’s prong got melted plastic from wire insulation.
- It didn’t solve the problem. The plug & AC cord get very hot & I smell insulation burning inside again. It’s not the receptacle. Other things work fine on it.
- What do you think is most likely the cause of this? Is this more likely the plug & cord? Or wiring inside?
- This machine is 10 years old & wire connection other than black one look OK but they are not beautiful. White neutral wire looks OK from outside, but might need replacement?
- There is another black wire connected from somewhere inside the machine to a same prong of toggle switch as the burned out black wire was connected.
- This wire is not burned but the color of the wire inside is not copper, it looks rather Silver/grayish. Could this wire be degraded and cause problem?
- By the way, the breaker did not trip on this and there was no visible defects on the AC plug & cord.
I am not sure the plug gets hot because something is wrong with inside wiring or wire burns because something is wrong with plug & cord.
Please help me! I would be really happy if I can fix it (will save me $900!).
Thank you so much!
Saeko
Background: Saeko, a Homeowner from New York, NY. USA
Additional Comments: This is first time I visit this site, and it really looks great if you have question about home electrical projects!
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Saeko.
Circuit Requirements for a Hot Water Dispenser
Kitchen Hot Water Dispenser
Many kitchens have instant hot water dispensers which require a high amount of electrical power. If this installation is not correct then you risk overheating wires and burning up switches.
Instant Hot Water Dispenser Electrical Circuit Requirements
- The instant hot water dispenser described in the question above is typical and you will notice that the specifications state that it is 120 volts 1800 watts, 15 amps.
- A simple ohms law calculation shows that a 15 amp circuit would be borderline, and you should never load a circuit to 100% of the rated load.
- Due to the high amount of watts a dedicated 120 volt, 20 amp circuit should be installed for this device.
- The cord, switch and outlets components for the water dispenser should also have the same rating.
- If any of the ratings are not maintained then you will experience dangerous levels of over heating of the electrical cord or wires and the switch.
- The hot water dispenser that is described is 10 years old and it would be interesting to note the wire size and insulation type because if the amperage ratings were maintained then there should not be a problem with overheating. The same would be apply to the switch.
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