Wiring Connections for an Electric Water Heater

';	What are the Wiring Connections for a Water Heater? The Electrical Connections for a 50Gal 240 Volt Electric Water Heater. © By: Dave Rongey

Electric Water Heater
Electrical Question: How should I wire a 50Gal Water Heater?

I’m connecting an electric water heater to the electrical junction box. I have a A. O. Smith 50 Gal Water Heater that has a red and black wire. The electrical junction box has red, black, white and ground. Please give advise.

Background: Perry, a Handyman from El Mirage, Arizona.
Additional Comments: Great.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Perry.

How to Wire a Water Heater

Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced. This electrical project is best performed by a Licensed Electrician.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools and Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time: Depends on the personal level experience and ability to work with tools and access to the wiring.
Precaution: Identify the water heater circuit, turn it OFF and then Tag it with a Note before performing any wiring.
Special Materials: Properly sized wire connectors and a blank cover.

Electrical Connections for a 50Gal Water Heater

Identify the circuit for the hot water heater and make sure it is turned off.
If the incoming electrical circuit has a black, red, white and ground wire then the white or neutral wire is caped off and not connected unless your water heater requires a separate neutral wire.
The bare ground wire of the incoming circuit is bent into a clockwise hook shape and placed under the green ground screw and secured tightly. This screw is located inside the water heater junction box, or the water heater may have a green ground wire that may be used.
The typical 240 volt water heater has a red and black wire located in a junction box at the top of the water heater.
The incoming circuit wires and the water heater wires are normally black and red, and are splices or connected together, color to color using red or gray wire nuts.
If the incoming electrical circuit wiring does not have a separate red wire, then the white wire may be used as the second 120 volt circuit of the 2-pole 240 volt circuit, and should be indicated with a black or red wrap of electrical tape of permanent marker. If unsure about the incoming circuit then the circuit should be verified by an electrician with a voltage tester.

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Please Note:
Unless otherwise posted, please refer to the following Guidelines when working on Electrical Projects:

Skill Level:
Intermediate to Advanced - Electrical Repairs and Circuit Wiring is Best Performed by a Certified Electrician or Licensed Electrical Contractor.

Electrical Tools Required:
Basic Electricians Pouch of Hand Tools, a Voltage Tester and a Multi Meter.

Estimated Time:
Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools, work with electrical wiring, and the available access to the project area.

Precaution:
Identify the project circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.

Important:
Modifying existing electrical circuits or installing additional electrical wiring should be done according to local and National Electrical Codes, with a permit and be inspected.