Wiring a 220 Baseboard Heater

10-04-2008, 11:45 PM	#1
joedadog Newbie   Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 27	Wiring a 220 Baseboard Heater I am installing a baseboard heater in my family room and I have a wiring question. I need to go from inside the garage where my panel is, outside around the the family room. I was going to run romex to the line thermostat and then to a junction box on the outside wall. I was then going to switch to single wire and plastic conduit. I plan on running 12 gauge wire. Is that correct and is plastic conduit ok. If so what size conduit for 12 guage.. Please advise.

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10-05-2008, 12:07 AM	#2
nap You talking to me?     Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: sw mi Posts: 5,407	Wiring a 220 Baseboard Heater Is #12 the correct size of wire? What size breaker? Can't tell with the info you provided. What is the current draw of the heater or the wattage? IF #12 is adequate, since you would have 3 wires, 1/2 inch conduit would be adequate. PVC is very flimsy so it needs to be supported a lot to make it look presentable.

10-05-2008, 08:35 AM	#3
joedadog Newbie   Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 27	Wiring a 220 Baseboard Heater Sorry, the heater is 2000 watts and 8.3 amps. 12 should be fine. I was more questioning the romex to single wire connection and the conduit size. Is that part ok. Also sounds like I should go with metal conduit.

10-05-2008, 09:41 AM	#4
chris75 Electrician   Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Connecticut, Litchfield Posts: 2,015	Wiring a 220 Baseboard Heater If the conduit is being installed outdoors, then you cannot use NM (romex) type cable.

10-05-2008, 01:06 PM	#5
SD515 Electrician     Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Near Jackson Michigan Area Posts: 1,449	Wiring a 220 Baseboard Heater I think the OP was talking about using romex from the heater to the j-box, and then using conduit and THWN (probably). __________________ Kyle Just because you can, doesn't always mean you should

10-05-2008, 01:47 PM	#6
nap You talking to me?     Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: sw mi Posts: 5,407	Wiring a 220 Baseboard Heater Quote: Originally Posted by joedadog Sorry, the heater is 2000 watts and 8.3 amps. 12 should be fine. I was more questioning the romex to single wire connection and the conduit size. Is that part ok. Also sounds like I should go with metal conduit. If you use emt then you need to use raintight fittings. PVC is fine, it just sags easily and looks bad if not supported well. and yes, as SD515 states, use THWN. Most current thhn wire is dual rated as thwn also but it must say so on the wire. Your proposed installation sounds fine from what I read.

10-06-2008, 06:56 AM	#7
joedadog Newbie   Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 27	Wiring a 220 Baseboard Heater Thanks, does it matter if I use stranded or solid THWN? I was going to use solid.

10-06-2008, 07:52 AM	#8
Jim Port Licensed electrician   Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 5,942	Wiring a 220 Baseboard Heater Either would be fine in your application.

10-06-2008, 07:17 PM	#9
nap You talking to me?     Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: sw mi Posts: 5,407	Wiring a 220 Baseboard Heater I hate solid but there is nothing wrong with it or using it.