The 240 volt heating elements of the water heater are similar to most kitchen ranges and cook tops which have 240 volt heating elements which do not require a neutral wire as well. Unlike a new electric dryer for example, which has a 120 volt control timer, an electric water heater does not yet have 120 volt controls.
This may be true in the case of a 120 volt circuit, however a 240 volt water heater does not need a neutral wire because the heating elements are 240 volts. The comment asking why a neutral is not used for the 240 volt circuit of an electric water heater refers to the neutral wire being used as the return path of the electrical current. Identifying the circuit wiring with red electrical tape is important and should be applied to existing circuit wiring as needed. In newer installations where there is a 2-wire with ground cable for a 240 volt water heater the white wire is colored with red electrical tape which clearly designates it’s part of the 240 volt circuit. Note: Many of the older 30 amp 240 volt dedicated water heater circuits consisted of a 2-wire with ground cable, which consisted of a ground wire, a black wire, and a white wire, and in these circuits the white wire was normally connected to the red wire of a 240 volt water heater, however as described in the preceding, the circuit must be positively verified first.
The wiring at the wall should be verified to make sure that they belong to a dedicated circuit which is designated for a water heater.Įven though there is a typical 30 amp 240 volt water heater circuit that is installed in many homes, it should be noted that all electric water heaters are not the same and some will have specific circuit requirements, therefore you should verify the circuit requirements of your water heater and then compare the specifications to the circuit wiring which you have described to make sure the circuit is fully compatible. Make sure not to miss these Resources for: How-To-Videos
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If unsure about the incoming circuit then the circuit should be verified by an electrician with a voltage tester.Įlectrical Code for How Many Wires in Junction Boxes If the incoming electrical circuit wiring does not have a separate red wire, then the white wire may be used as the second 120 volt circuit of the 2-pole 240 volt circuit, and should be indicated with a black or red wrap of electrical tape of permanent marker.The incoming circuit wires and the water heater wires are normally black and red, and are splices or connected together, color to color using red or gray wire nuts.
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