What kind of wire do I need for a tankless water heater?
You must utilize either a 120- or 240-volt circuit, wholly devoted to the heater. Both voltages require 8-gauge wire, and the section exposed to the area under the sink must be armored cable.
What gauge wire is used for service entrance?
All service-entrance cable is rated 600V and is listed in sizes 14 AWG and larger for copper and 12 AWG and larger for aluminum or copper-clad aluminum conductors.
How many amps does a tankless water heater pull?
Tankless heaters can draw anywhere from 42 amps to 167 amps. We can calculate exactly how many amps does a tankless water heater because we know two key factors: Overall power or wattage. Electric tankless water heaters can have a power input from 10,000W (10 kW) to 40,000W (40 kW).
What type of wire is used for overhead service entrance?
Triplex wire is commonly used for overhead, single phase service and contains three individual wires twisted around each other. The two insulated conductors are called the “hot” legs of the service while the bare (uninsulated) wire is the neutral wire of the service.
Is 200 amp service enough for tankless water heater?
A 200-amp service allows operation of multiple appliances at once, while a 60-amp service won’t provide enough power to run an electric hot water heater, air conditioner and hair dryer simultaneously. The EcoSmart Eco-18 model requires two 40-amp breakers for installation and has a 75-amp draw.
What’s the difference between 10 2 wire and 10 3 wire?
10/2 wire can handle 56 amps. 10/3 wire can handle 84 amps.
What does URD cable stand for?
Underground residential distribution wire
Underground residential distribution wire (URD) is a specialty aluminum wire intended for use in residential construction and light to medium duty commercial applications.
Is copper or aluminum better for service entrance?
Choosing a Service Entrance Cable
Aluminum service entrance cables are cheaper, lighter, and generally easier to install, whereas copper cables are more durable with superior electric conductivity.
What is the difference between SE and Ser cable?
Style SEU cable has two phase conductors surrounded by a concentric neutral while the SER style has two, three or four phase conductors and a bare neutral.”
What is the difference between URD and Ser wire?
SER cable isn’t legal underground, so cross that off the list. URD also called Mobile Home feeder, comes in 3-wire or 4-wire, so it’s an option. It’s legal for direct burial underground, but not for use indoors without conduit as if it was Romex or something.
What are the 2 types of service entrance?
There are two types of overhead service drops, mast, and clevis.
Why is aluminum wire used for service entrance?
Like copper, aluminum is conductive, so it’s become a common material used in the construction of electrical wiring. Unfortunately, aluminum wiring isn’t as strong as copper wiring, and it also has a higher thermal expansion coefficient.
Can you use aluminum wire service entrance?
Aluminum is certainly approved for those uses by the National Electrical Code (NEC), but the final word is always left to your local building officials. I have no problem with using aluminum in a situation such as yours. Compared to copper, it’s less expensive and a lot lighter.
Is aluminum wire safe for service entrance?
Yes. For service conductors aluminum is perfectly acceptable and typical in many/most places.
What is the disadvantage of using aluminum wire?
Aluminum Wire Pros and Cons
The downside to aluminum wiring is that it’s vulnerable to corrosion and therefore cannot match the lifespan of copper wire. Likewise, its softness makes it prone to breakage and loose connections.
When was aluminum wiring banned?
In 1972, the formula for aluminum wiring changed, making it a much safer product. Aluminum wiring was used in single family homes for a few years after that, but was completely phased out by the mid-’70s.
Can you mix copper and aluminum wiring?
In this section, it is stated that differing wires – such as copper and aluminum wires – cannot be spliced where physical contact occurs between them – unless the device is rated for use like that. Essentially, this means that you can splice or connect copper and aluminum wire together when using the correct device.
