Oct 12, 4:30 PM

Electrical and Lighting: Question about wire size

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Forum: Electrical and Lighting Replies: 3, Views: 30

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krypto
West Palm Beach, FL
June 14, 2006
9:23 PM
Post #2391254
I have replaced my old water heater with a Titan SCR2 tankless water heater.

The new heater requires 240v 60AMP. According to the manufacturs web site they recommend 6AWG wire.

The electrical wire that was already run for my old water heater is still there it is only 10AWG.

I was hoping to just change out my 30AMP breakers with 60AMP and connect the wires myself. But am a little worried about the 10AWG wire size.

Will I be okay with the 10AWG wires for a pretty short run of about 20 feet? I would use 6AWG werever possible.

THANKS IN ADVANCE
raisedbedbob
Valley Lee, MD
(Zone 7a)
June 16, 2006
10:58 AM
Post #2396969
Krypto,
See the table below.

Gauge Amps
14 15
12 20
10 30
8 40
6 65

It is important to use the recommended wire size no matter how short the run. If you don't you run the risk of burning your house down - no kidding.

BackyardZoo
Poquoson, VA
(Zone 7b)
June 16, 2006
12:03 PM
Post #2397227
Appended:

"It is important to use the recommended wire size OR LARGER no matter how short the run."

Much like trying to send 6" of water thru a 4" pipe, wire size is important. A water pipe will break & send water all over your house. A wire will heat up to the point it can set your walls on fire. All those electrons jostling as they try to get down the wire to your appliance create a lot more friction than you'd think.

henryr10
Cincinnati, OH
(Zone 6b)
June 16, 2006
12:27 PM
Post #2397307
Definitely a #6.
Our 220 dryer run was undersized and only a 10" (inch) run.
Fired it up one night and blew a spark 15' across the room.
Done mess w/ under-sizing you won't win.

Ric

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