briansterling
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- Aug 16, 2013
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I was planning on installing an electric tankless water heater in my home which requires two 240V 60A lines. The closet that containes my water heaters has two independent 240V breakers being fed via 10-3 wire to two 30A breakers in my main panel.
I had planned to just upgrade the two breakers in the main panel to two 60A breakers per the specifications for the unit. Upon further review I see that the required wiring is 6 gauge wiring. I assume the 10-3 wiring I have isn't sufficient.
Now comes the part where I'm trying to figure out my options:
1. Run two brand new 6 gauge cables from the main panel (two 60A) to the spot. Problem here is that it would be a HUGE pain the neck to run that cable.
2. Run the 6 gauge wire with two 60A breakers from a nearby sub panel (wreck room or audio panel). This would be crazy convenient, especially if I can put a third 60A breaker/cable so I can get the better unit. Problem here is I have no idea if the sub panels are sufficient to provide the load and don't know how to calculate that.
3. Install a dedicated sub panel for the tankless heater which would reduce the amount of cables to run and could open up options to expansion and such. Same problem with knowing which panel to run from and how to calculate the proper gauge and/or panel.
I'm just trying to get an idea of what's needed so I can purchase materials and maybe even run the cables and mount the boxes. I'd save the inspection and actual hookup for the electrician but I like to do as much as I can (safely) beforehand.
Panels should have clickable links to pictures. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Water Heater Closet
Main Panel
Main Panel Meter
Wreck Room Panel
Audio Room Panel
Tankless WH install info
I had planned to just upgrade the two breakers in the main panel to two 60A breakers per the specifications for the unit. Upon further review I see that the required wiring is 6 gauge wiring. I assume the 10-3 wiring I have isn't sufficient.
Now comes the part where I'm trying to figure out my options:
1. Run two brand new 6 gauge cables from the main panel (two 60A) to the spot. Problem here is that it would be a HUGE pain the neck to run that cable.
2. Run the 6 gauge wire with two 60A breakers from a nearby sub panel (wreck room or audio panel). This would be crazy convenient, especially if I can put a third 60A breaker/cable so I can get the better unit. Problem here is I have no idea if the sub panels are sufficient to provide the load and don't know how to calculate that.
3. Install a dedicated sub panel for the tankless heater which would reduce the amount of cables to run and could open up options to expansion and such. Same problem with knowing which panel to run from and how to calculate the proper gauge and/or panel.
I'm just trying to get an idea of what's needed so I can purchase materials and maybe even run the cables and mount the boxes. I'd save the inspection and actual hookup for the electrician but I like to do as much as I can (safely) beforehand.
Panels should have clickable links to pictures. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Water Heater Closet
Main Panel
Main Panel Meter
Wreck Room Panel
Audio Room Panel
Tankless WH install info