Water Heater Disconnect

SeventhReign

I am in the process of buying a Dual Element 4500 watt Electric Water Heater that pulls 18.75 Amps.

My question is: Does it matter whether I get a 30 Amp or 60 Amp Disconnect? Would I be safer with a 30 Amp Disc., in case there is a short and it starts pulling more than 30 amps?

brric

Does not matter. Circuit should be rated at only 30 amps anyway.

Speedy Petey

No, everything is rate in amps and AIC. AIC refers to short circuit amps.

jbfan

A disconnet is just that, a disconnect.
It offers no protection from overload in anyway.

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nap

not sure it is clear to you so, a bit of explanation.

The rating of the disconnect is the maximum sized circuit you can use it on. With the 30 amp, you can run up to a 30 amp circuit through it. With the 60 amp disco, you can run up to a 60 amp circuit through it.

You shouldn't need over a 30 amp disco since you would be running a 30 amp circuit. You can use a 60 amp disco if you want though.

AllanJ

The water heater specifications probably give a maximum circuit rating as well as a recommended (30 amp) circuit rating.

The gauge of the cable conductors (any cable on that branch circuit) imply a maximum circuit rating.

If you install a disconnect switch with a higher rating for futureproofing purposes, you would not be able to upgrade the circuit to a higher ampere rating unless all other components in the circuit are compatible with that rating.

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