Hello everyone, I am in need of some help with the install of a electric heat strip. The strip requires 2 50 amp circuits and has 2 internal 50 amp circuit breakers. My question is does this requir 2 disconnects or is there a disconnect out there that will disconnect both circuits in one box? The wiring diagram shows a L1, l2, L3, and L4. The actual unit is also marked this way and has 2 grounding lugs. This is a Climate Master AGL20A heat strip.
Electric Heat Disconnect
- Thread starter 50cal
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ishiboo
Well-known member
There are 4-pole disconnects, I wonder if you could also use 4 QO breakers with handle ties making them one large breaker? That may only be legal for 2, not sure. Check the QO documentation. The breakers cannot be "held open" but it could fail where one hot leg is left hot... not good.
Alchymist
Well-known member
A 4 pole breaker would take up the same space as two double poles. Throw 2 50 amp doubles in there and be done with it. Each breaker protects one heater element, so if one element has a problem and trips it's breaker, you don't lose all heat as you would with a 4 pole breaker. Keeps it simple.
Thanks there will be 2 50 amp breakers in the loadcenter (main panel). There are also 2 50 amp breakers built into the heat strip. The heating unit is located 25 feet from the main panel on the other side of a wall. I am just looking for a simple pull out disconnect or switch to cut power on both circuits for servicing. I know I could use 2 double pole disconects, but I am trying to keep a smaller footprint with one box 2 kill both circuits.
Alchymist
Well-known member
Once you split into 2 circuits, a single disconnect is going to be difficult and/or expensive. One method would be a 100 amp breaker in the main panel feeding a main lug sub panel, and put the 50 amp breakers in the sub panel.
This would give couple options -
a 100 amp run to the heater with the sub panel next to the heater, or
sub panel next to main panel and two 50 amp runs to heater.
Which is easier?
This would give couple options -
a 100 amp run to the heater with the sub panel next to the heater, or
sub panel next to main panel and two 50 amp runs to heater.
Which is easier?
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
Is this strip heater part of a heat pump system? I searched online on Climate Master and they make geothermal heat pump systems.
I thought about the sub panel route and dismissed it as a more expensive way. The main service panels (400 amp service ) came with several breakers amongst themm 2 50's. The route with 2 15.00 disconnects will probably be the way to go.
Yes its a geothermal heat pump.
climbabout
Well-known member
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- Oct 10, 2011
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There is no such thing as a 4 pole breaker for a residential panel. I have been in the electrical supply business for 30+ years and a Square D distributor far longer than that. They do not make a handle tie for 2-2pole breakers either.
If you refer to the diagram that comes with this unit, you have 2 choices.
1- run 2 50a circuits from your panel and mount 2 (60A) disconnects at the unit, or
2 - run 1 circuit and get the jumper kit from the manufacturer as shown in figure 7b and mount 1-(100A) disconnect at the unit.
You can buy 2 Square D QO200TR 60a rated disconnects for much less than 1-100A disconnect, which is what I would do.
There is a third choice as well - you could get a 4 pole contactor and control both units with a small single pole switch to control the coil on the contactor, but that involves more expense and a knowledge of control circuit wiring.
Hope this helps,
Tim
If you refer to the diagram that comes with this unit, you have 2 choices.
1- run 2 50a circuits from your panel and mount 2 (60A) disconnects at the unit, or
2 - run 1 circuit and get the jumper kit from the manufacturer as shown in figure 7b and mount 1-(100A) disconnect at the unit.
You can buy 2 Square D QO200TR 60a rated disconnects for much less than 1-100A disconnect, which is what I would do.
There is a third choice as well - you could get a 4 pole contactor and control both units with a small single pole switch to control the coil on the contactor, but that involves more expense and a knowledge of control circuit wiring.
Hope this helps,
Tim
s, it looks like 2 60 amp disconnects is the winner! Thanks everyone.Stuart in MN
Well-known member
Are the circuit breakers in the heat strip accessible? If so they can probably serve as the local disconnects.
Not without removing a couple screws and a access panel.