I want to install three electric baseboard haaters on a 20 amp 240 volt circuit.The heaters are 1500 watt.The 240 volt circuit has 4800 watts.Do I have to use the 80% rule that limits me to 3840 watts?????? They will each have their own thermostat.I will be installing them in a motel. Thanks bob
The heaters are not "constant amp load" heaters. Here is how you calculate the expected load:
Assuming the heater nameplate says 240 volts, 1500 Watts. Using Ohm's Law, we find how many Ohms of resistance the heaters offer. Now we look at the new voltage. Again using Ohm's law, we use the Ohms value, and divide 208 by that number. This will give us the amps at that voltage. Using that new amp number, we find our watts of demand. Now, I'm just using "ballpark" math, but it looks like the heaters will put out less than 1200 watts at 208, which would allow you to comply with the 80% rule.
I'm really not sure that you can count on any of these calculations and suggest that you just check one at 208 if that's what you're going to use. I wouldn't expect the hot resistance of the element to be the same at 208 and 240VAC. Joe
Re: baseboard heaters#97231 02/04/0603:16 AM02/04/0603:16 AM
I have a 240 volt SINGLE PHASE service.208 is a three phase wye.I have 240 volts 20 amp circuit 20 x 240 gives me 4800 watts.My question is do I have to knock this down to 80% x 4800 to 3840 watts?? I think it works this way.I have a 1500 watt heater 240 volts divide by 240 volts gives me 6.25 amps.times 1.25% would give me 7.8 amps for one 1500 watt heater. I'm going with two 1500 watt heaters that would be 15.6 amps four amps under 16 which is 80% of 20 amps.
Re: baseboard heaters#97233 02/04/0610:59 AM02/04/0610:59 AM
Okay. What matters is the 3 x 6.25, which equals 18.75, exceeding 80%.
However, thermostatic heater controls cycle power, so the odds are that no heater will be powered for 3 hours (barring initial turn-on in freezing weather), not to mention all three being on for 3 hours.
So, you might have an argument against having a continuous over-80% load.
Guys George Little pointed out a code section that is right on target.
part of 424.3(B)
Quote
(B) Branch-Circuit Sizing. The ampacity of the branch-circuit conductors and the rating or setting of overcurrent protective devices supplying fixed electric space-heating equipment consisting of resistance elements with or without a motor shall not be less than 125 percent of the total load of the motors and the heaters.....
It does not matter if it is a continuous load or not, the branch circuit must be 125%
Bob Badger Construction & Maintenance Electrician Massachusetts