Wiring Help Needed

[Speed Shop]

I just bought a Fahrenheat 7500watt heater #HUH724SA. The instructions call for a min 10 g copper, 70 degree C, cable. So I go to Lowes and find the wall of cable. Never knew there were so many types of cable! Can anyone tell me what I would need? 3 wire? 4 wire? My plan is to only run the wire. Electrical stuff is out of my league. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

What are you trying to run? Is this a portable or non fixed heater that you are using a flex cord on? or is this a hard mounted heater, and you want to run Romex or similar to a box at the heater to hard connect to?

I am assuming this is a fixed or hanging heater, and is 240volt, you didn't say. If 220/240 volt, you would need some 10-2 w/grd. Thats two hot wires and a bare ground in a jacket. The wires will be black and white. Before you are finished, you will want to remark the ends of the white wires to red, as you are using the white wire as a hot wire.

The problem as I see it, is that #10 wire is NOT heavy enough. #10 is generally accepted as being OK for 30 amps. Your heater draws anywhere from 31 to 34 amps depending on the voltage you do the amp calculations at 220/230/240. Code requires you to use wire/breaker/etc rated at 125% of the max draw of the heater (continuous load rule) so you will need a 40 amp double pole breaker and #8 wire to legally and safely do this. My take on it, others may very well disagree.

Charles

 

[IDASHO]

Very good advice Charles.

And you are dead on, on AMP draw.

A quick google search found said heater on northern.... http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200316428_200316428

240V, 31.3Amp


Id advise #8 as well.

 

[Speed Shop]

Thank you for the advice and sorry for not providing enough info. Yes, this is a hanging type heater that will be mounted to the ceiling. The specs posted are correct. My plan was to only run the cable from the mount, thru the attic and down to my box in the basement. The electrician would do the hook up at the heater and the wall box. I can save a bunch if I run the wire. I was concerned about the cable and not getting the correct type. I didn't think the 10g was enough, but just really didn't know for sure. Stuff isn't cheap and where I have to run it, isn't easy access. Something I only want to run once. I'm not savvy in electrical and plumbing so I do what I know I can and leave the rest to someone who knows what to do. Again, my thanks!

 

[Torque1st]

Unless you know HOW to run the cable you should leave that to the electrician also.

 

[dstryr]

You bought a good heater. Marley Electric Heat has been around forever and you can actually get parts for them. Lots of electrical wholesalers carry berko/marley so if a retail place where you might have bought it won't give you the time of day when it comes to a repair part, you're not SOL.

Here's a full spec sheet on that heater: http://www.berkomeh.com/develop/prod_pdf/bulsub/ZSS-BHUHO.pdf

 

[Speed Shop]

Thanks for all the advice and concern. Nice to know I made a good choice. Being USA made, helped with the decision. There was a similar unit out there that I alost bouight but it was China made. Actually more money at the time. I managed to catch a sale at Northern Tool, it was even cheaper the follwing week and they refunded me the difference. Very nice on the phone as well!
As for routing, I will have help there from a friend who does construction. He'll tell me where it goes, I'll just do it. His sub will do the hook ups.