Water Heater Install

[-dirt-]

Hi all:

I'm replacing a gas water heater with an electric one. The plan is to run 10/2 NM-B from a 30 amp breaker in an existing exterior-mounted panel, through 3/4" PVC conduit up the side of the two-story house into the eave, over the rafters in the attic, and then down through a hole in the sheetrock in the water heater closet on the 2nd floor. I'd planned to "hardwire" the Romex directly to the short wires coming out of the water heater inside the little door on top of the heater.

However, does NEC 2011 422.31(B) require a disconnect within reach? IF so, does this work?

Or does the little lock tab on the exterior panel count as "being locked in the open position"?

Thanks!

 

[gregtwojeeps]

The little 30 amp two pole disconnects at the box stores are cheap enough. I would be sure the safety of anyone possibly needing to work on the heater is assured, by putting it on the wall by the heater. I used a cord/plug means of disconnect on my WH, but so that I could move the WH power cord from the KU power outlet over to my generator power outlet as needed. good luck

 

[pattenp]

What is a KU power outlet? Is this a code name for something that has a meaning only to you?

The little 30 amp two pole disconnects at the box stores are cheap enough. I would be sure the safety of anyone possibly needing to work on the heater is assured, by putting it on the wall by the heater. I used a cord/plug means of disconnect on my WH, but so that I could move the WH power cord from the KU power outlet over to my generator power outlet as needed. good luck

 

[-dirt-]

Looks like that link didn't work. Here it is: 60 amp

They have a 30 amp one too, but its more expensive....

 

[pattenp]

That will work fine as a disconnect.

I don't know what the deal is with posting a link to a Lowes page. I have had the same problem with it showing a general page and not what I copied and pasted.

Looks like that link didn't work. Here it is: 60 amp

....

 

[-dirt-]

OK thanks. Will the lock tab on the panel not suffice?

 

[gregtwojeeps]

What is a KU power outlet? Is this a code name for something that has a meaning only to you?

Nothing fancy, KU = Kentucky Utilities is my home power supplier. I meant my WH has a outlet in the house powered by KU power. I have two female 30 A - 250 rated outlets at my WH, one stacked above the other. The KU outlet above, gen powered oulet below. Sorry for the confusion...

 

[Charles (in GA)]

OK thanks. Will the lock tab on the panel not suffice?

Code will require a disconnect in sight of, and within 50 ft of the equipment. It only makes sense. If you are running conduit all the way to the closet where the WH is located, don't use Romex, but rather, measure and buy individual THHN wires. They are MUCH easier to pull thru the conduit. You will be quickly hating yourself if you try to pull Romex that far in conduit.

Charles

 

[2ManyProjects]

Hi all:

I'm replacing a gas water heater with an electric one. The plan is to run 10/2 NM-B from a 30 amp breaker in an existing exterior-mounted panel, through 3/4" PVC conduit up the side of the two-story house into the eave, over the rafters in the attic, and then down through a hole in the sheetrock in the water heater closet on the 2nd floor.

What is the total length of that wiring run, end to end? If it is more than about 90 feet, AWG 10 is going to be marginal, at best. Yes, it will still be "legal"; but voltage drop will start to rear its ugly head.

Also, I agree with Charles: If you're going to be installing a full run of conduit anyway, go with individual wires, not NM-B, for the entire run. If OTOH you're only planning to use the conduit to protect the "exposed" portions of the run, then put a junction box just inside the attic (and maybe another one just above that closet ceiling), and make the THHN/NM-B transition(s) there.

Finally, just out of curiosity: Why are you converting from gas to electric? The former will surely be far less expensive to feed over the long haul.

 

[walrus]

You can't run NM-b in conduit outside, its a wet location, have to be 10-2 uf

 

[Aceman]

Use a breaker lockout instead of a disconnect. They just slip on over the top of the breaker. Here's one for a Siemens panel:

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...=X&ei=-llyUvr6EIqmiQLg44HoCQ&ved=0CKEBEPUBMAo

 

[-dirt-]

Got it wrapped up last night. Thanks for all the help!

 

[porschedude996TT]

Wow, can you tell us why you need to change to an electric water heater? From my location, where gas is cheap-cheap-cheap, and electricity is not federally funded by an antiquated law, it does not make sense to change from natural gas to electric. Was your old water heater propane fueled?

 

[-dirt-]

It wasn't my place (I have gas). Around here both the gas and electric utilities will provide a free replacement water heater to switch from one to the other plus cash for the install.

The old gas unit was rusted and leaking.

 

[borgdog]

It wasn't my place (I have gas). Around here both the gas and electric utilities will provide a free replacement water heater to switch from one to the other plus cash for the install.

The old gas unit was rusted and leaking.

So when you need a water heater you just switch from one to the other and get it for free. Nice.

 

[-dirt-]

So when you need a water heater you just switch from one to the other and get it for free. Nice.

Again, I'm not the one who switched. I have a gas unit and will continue to.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

It wasn't my place (I have gas). Around here both the gas and electric utilities will provide a free replacement water heater to switch from one to the other plus cash for the install.

The old gas unit was rusted and leaking.

Man, where do u live? never heard of a utility paying to replace a water heater!

I would have put in another gas WH. NG is way more efficient than electric!

 

[walrus]

I would have put in another gas WH. NG is way more eficient than electric!

NG may be cheaper to run but its not more efficient

 

[6768rogues]

It is true that a NG water heater is not as efficient as an electric unit. The electric unit is 100% efficient and NG is something less than that depending on what it is. However, the savings comes from energy costs. In my area, I can heat 3 to 4 gallons of water with NG for the cost of heating one gallon with electricity.