A GE electric water heater stated “total wattage - 4500/3308” The instruction manual stated that for 240v 4500w, the breaker is 25 amps. For 208v, it’s 30 amp. Do I say that the breaker should be 25 amps cause it’s a 240v circuit or do i say the installed 30amp is ok cause the heating elements run at 208v? thanks
30 amp breaker is fine 240 volt heater on 208 will just be a little slower .If this is a home I would not be concerned.
208Volts is a 3-phase service distribution panel.
Can someone tell me why a home would have such?
Roy is correct, you can run a AC/DC Welder on 208, but the amperage setting will have to be set higher than it would be at 240 volts.
Marcel
I have never seen a 208 volt system in a home in Canada.
I expect the manufacture just put two voltages on the name plate .
This unfortunately leads to some confusion with many people .
The Water heater is single phase so it does not care as long as the voltage is not above 240 volts.
Do they serve condo units at 120/208 in Canada like they so often do in the US? A condo or high-rise is where you’d normally expect to find 208 in a dwelling unit.
We do not have a lot of Condos in my area but any I have seen are 120/240 volt.
I have often though how great it would be to have 208 in the home one more wire and 50% more power.
Must be a reason but I have no idea why not.
Another thing you have to remember…if the system is truly 120/240V then you can’t use a 208V breaker in the panel…the line to line would be 240V and the breaker is only listed for 208V…
if the breaker is listed 120/240V then you are fine but if the breaker is a 120/208V then it is not supposed to be in that panel enclosure…IF the panel inclosure is a 120/240V listed panel…and the voltage you are dealing with is truly 120/240V and indeed not 208V…
Sorry…that gets a bit cryptic but you know what I mean…if breaker is a 208V rated breaker and the line to line potential is 240V then the breaker has to be rated for 240V line to line…
There may be some confusion here.
If I read your post correctly it is a residential WH being supplied by 240 VAC. The installed OCP is 30 A and therfore exceeds the mfgs. recommended OCP of 25 A when supplied by 240 V.
Mine was just educational Michael…in regards to reading breakers ratings…seemed like a nice educational moment…lol
If the manual says install a 25A breaker…I would install a 25A breaker…
Paul,
Absolutely!
Your always educational and a great NACHI asset.
Now apply some ice to your head to prevent swelling.
hell man…I am so humble…CRAP sits higher on the plain of life than me and my swelling head…but it’s all good…wife reminds me everyday what I am…(sigh)…
Wives are way too good at that. I know mine is.
Michael,
The manual for the water heater stated…
240v - 25 amp breaker
208v - 30 amp breaker
I’m thinking that the line itself is 240v but the heating element may be 208v? wasn’t sure, but this particular house had a 30 amp breaker installed in the panel and since I’ve never seen 208v, assumed it was a 240v(like everything else is) and said to change the breaker to 25.
Scott, the heater element is probably rated in watts so a different breaker is required for protection depending on input voltage.
You did the right thing in calling out the need for a change.