ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues baseboard heaters

bobjobb,

You only need to derate the branch circuit or overstate the load by 25%, not both, as you indicated in your last post. 3 x 1500 watts equals 4500. 4500 watts @ 125% equals 5625 watts. At 240 volts, that would be a little less than 24 amps. Therefore, 2 circuits are required.

Approaching it from the reverse. How many feet of baseboard can be connected to a single 2 pole, 20 amp breaker? (250 watts per foot). 20 amps at 80% equals 16 amps. 16 amps times 240 volts equals 3840 watts. Divide that by 250 watts and you get 15 feet of baseboard per 20 amp circuit breaker. (a useful number to remember).

Could your job get by on 3 five foot baseboard heaters rather than 3 six footers?

Or run a 30-amp circuit, if permissable. Can you re-pull the circuit? If not, running a new one can't be much easier.

I agree with everyone who says this is a code violation but I also agree it is only a 250 milliamp violation. You could confirm that by verifying the 208 draw is ~1133w from the manufacturer.
You really need that data to make an informed decision ... or a clamp on.
If it really is 16a and a CH I doubt I would make them rip out drywall. I would use 310.16 to let me sleep

edit
I just looked at the Broan site and some of their toaster wire heaters. They confirm that a 1500w heater @ 240v pulling 6.25a is a 1125w heater pulling 5.41a @ 208


[This message has been edited by gfretwell (edited 02-04-2006).]