60 amp breaker help pls....

[Tim Fitzgerald]

Just got off the phone with rheem and they say that I need 60 amp double pole breaker..., what is the difference?? Does it mean that the breaker takes up two slots in my panel and Im assuming it still only has two hot legs entering it..., Im confused. I knew that a routine 60A breaker would have exceeded the 80% capacity rule as this heater operates at 55 amps when heating. Could someone pls explain the difference

Im new to this and like to have a full understanding prior to even coming close to wiring it...

could also someone pls breakdown the "can you see the heater from your main panel question in reference to if I need a disconnect box between the service panel.

Does visible mean unobstructed??? Reason is because it all inside my shop, there will just be 30 foot wall (bathroom area) where it will be located between it and the breaker box

Thanks in advance

 

[offroadsteve]

I'll give this a shot...

You've got the right idea on the breaker, its a double breaker with the two handles tied together rated for 60A. I would say that since the manufacturer has spec'ed that as the overcurrent protection for your heater, that's the right thing to do. I agree its a little odd if the heater draws 55A during operation. I would double check everyhting before proceeding.

With regards to the disconnect, the rule I've seen is "line of sight" and within 50 feet. The idea here is that if someone is working on the heater, they should be able to see the power disconnect so someone else can't come along and flip the power back on.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

You are correct. (2) 30 amp breakers. One in each slot. Please refer to my pic. You will have a hot leg from each breaker going to the heater to provide 220volt power. Make sure the breakers are tied together with the small clip so they can both trip.

I am not sure what seeing your heater has to do with anything. Maybe they were worried about voltage drop over a long run of wire?

 

[Delta74]

what do you mean when you say a routine 60 amp breaker?? if you mean it takes up two spaces and can hook up 2 wires yes that's a 2 pole / double pole breaker, same thing different term.

as for the NEC again not my area, but usually heating and motor loads have slight differences in code application, if the manufacturer calls for a 2 pole 60, then that is what you should use.

not to argue with Hpozzuoli above, but it should be a 60 amp NOT 2-30 amps joined together.

just ask for a 2 pole 60 amp, of whatever type of breaker your panel uses.

Stop reading now.

I think a lot of confusion comes from the 120 volt, 240 volt, amp draws, say a 120 volt motor draws 15 amps, if the motor is duel voltage rated and can be run at 240 volt, the amp draw would decrease to 7.5 amps, the wattage ( power consumed ) stays the same.

now where I think some confusion comes in, people look at the amp draw in this case 60 amps, and see the 240 volt, they want to cut that in half to 30 amp, while it would be correct, we are talking about a device that is RATED at 60 amps 240V already, if this was run on 120 volts, you would need a 120 amp single pole breaker.

now to be clear, Hpozzuoli I hope you don't take any of this as picking on you, or calling you out, any form of that was not my Intent and not meant to start a net fight.

 

[pattenp]

A 60A DP breaker is not (2) 30 amp breakers tied together. A 60A DP breaker is 60A on each leg. The handles will be marked as 60.

Edit: I didn't mean to pile on. Delta was submitting as I was typing.

You are correct. (2) 30 amp breakers. One in each slot. Please refer to my pic. You will have a hot leg from each breaker going to the heater to provide 220volt power. Make sure the breakers are tied together with the small clip so they can both trip.

I am not sure what seeing your heater has to do with anything. Maybe they were worried about voltage drop over a long run of wire?

 

[Tim Fitzgerald]

Thanks so much to everyone for their response. I have learned so much from building this room within my shop. It is great to be able to come here in a bind and receive clarity from folks with years of experience...

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I don't mind being corrected. I am not perfect. I can learn too.

 

[Mustang51js]

You have to check the max breaker listed on the unit also, I've had to install a 25 amp breaker before because that's what it said on the unit, I installed a 30 amp and failed,a 25 amp breaker is not easy to find lol. It could be listed as 55 amps so I would double check the unit.

 

[sberry]

There may be a difference in the numbers if this is minimum circuit capacity. Using a size up from the minimum wire may allow for a larger next size breaker.

A 200 mig welder, 35A when the 14 wire is used, when its a 12 wire can breaker to 50A.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

NEC does not allow circuits larger than 60 amps to supply heating equipment. Multiple circuits are allowed to one heating unit, but each circuit is limited to 60 amp max. Upsizing breakers above 60 amps is not an option here. The code does not expect the load on that 60 amp circuit to exceed 48 amps, which is 80% of the 60 amp, since heating is considered continuous load.

It is not uncommon to see equipment manufacturers stretch the rule on load.

Charles