A 12-2 w/ground should be enough, although I would use a 10/2 for future upgradability. 10/2 is the standard cable for a water heater. Connect white to red. 12/2 would be insufficient for almost all water heaters.
Will a 12-2 wire carry 30 amps?
Intentionally overload one 12-2 cable If you look in the code book, 12 AWG wire is legal to 30 amps if you can run it at 90 degrees C.
What can 12-2 wire be used for?
A 12-3 Romex will have a black(hot), red(hot), white(neutral), and bare copper. The red on a 12-3 is used for three-way light switches which are covered later .The following NEC regulations apply to Romex conductors:Wire Gauge or TypeRated AmperageCommon Uses12-2 Romex20 ALighting and Outlet Circuits, refrigerator7 more rows
Can you use 10 2 wire for a water heater?
Most water heaters are wired with 10-2 w/Ground shielded cable. For long distances you may need to go with heavier wire. When you use this type of wire both the white and the black will serve as hot conductors. The bare ground wire will also be connected to the neutral lug.
What wire do I use for a 220 water heater?
Basic Home Wiring These cables come in many sizes and amperage ratings to accommodate different circuit needs, but youll probably use a 10-gauge for 30-amp NM cable for a 220V electric water heater.
How far will 12 gauge wire carry 20 amps?
You can run a 12 gauge wire up to 70 feet on a 15 amp circuit. That number drops to 50 feet if you run 12 gauge wire on a 20 amp circuit.
How many amps will a 12 gauge wire handle?
20 AMPS Size & AMP RatingsNM, TW, & UF WIRE (Copper Conductor)SE CABLE (Copper Conductor)12 AWG - 20 AMPS6 AWG - 65 AMPS10 AWG - 30 AMPS4 AWG - 85 AMPS8 AWG - 40 AMPS2 AWG - 115 AMPS6 AWG - 55 AMPS1 AWG - 130 AMPS1 more row
Can I use 12-2 wire for LED lights?
Yes, it is okay to use 12-2 cable to supply lighting fixtures. The other answer indicates that it even with 12-2 you have to use a 15A breaker for lighting circuits which is not strictly correct. If the entire circuit is 12AWG (other than fixture wires), then a 20A breaker may be used.
Is it OK to mix 12 and 14-gauge wire?
More specifically, can you connect 14-gauge wire to 12-gauge wire? While this is possible, it is not recommended in order to prevent overloading. For example, if the amp capacity of your breaker is 20 amps, you should only use 12-gauge wire, and if its 15 amps, the entire circuit should be 14-gauge.
What gauge wire do you use for a hot water heater?
A 20-amp hot water heater requires 12-gauge wire, a 25-amp hot water heater requires 10-gauge wire, and a 30- to 40-amp hot water heater requires 8-gauge wire.
Can you wire a 10-2 dryer?
If your dryer does not require the neutral, and is a pure 220V appliance, than you can use the 10-2 and be code compliant. The only issue is sharing the neutral and the ground.
What size breaker do I need for a 4500 W water heater?
30 Amp dual pole breaker and 10 Gage wire size are required for 4500 watt elements.
What size breaker do I need for a 220 hot water heater?
Electric water heaters use anything between 220 to 250 volts of alternating current. Youll need a double circuit breaker that is correctly rated for the power draw of the water heater. Were looking at between 20 Amp and 30 Amp for most electric water heaters.
How long can you run 12 gauge wire?
You can run a 12 gauge wire up to 70 feet on a 15 amp circuit. That number drops to 50 feet if you run 12 gauge wire on a 20 amp circuit.
Can a 12 gauge extension cord handle 20 amps?
To properly size an extension cord so your equipment is getting enough power, consider the distance you will run the cord and the amps that your equipment needs to run (found on cord). When using 100 feet extension cords, youll need a: 12 Gauge for 14-15 Amps. 10 Gauge for 16-20 Amps.
Can a 12 gauge wire handle 20 amps?
RULES OF THUMB “Twelve-gauge wire is good for 20 amps, 10-gauge wire is good for 30 amps, 8-gauge is good for 40 amps, and 6-gauge is good for 55 amps,” and “The circuit breaker or fuse is always sized to protect the conductor [wire].”
Whats the difference between 12-2 wire and 12 3 wire?
The designation 12/2 indicates AWG 12 wire with two conductors (AC hot and AC neutral), 12/3 indicates AWG 12 wire with three conductors (two AC hot and AC neutral). Both designations also typically include a smaller bare copper earth ground conductor. AWG 12/3 is used for double breaker 240V 20A max circuits.
Can I mix 12 and 14-gauge wire?
More specifically, can you connect 14-gauge wire to 12-gauge wire? While this is possible, it is not recommended in order to prevent overloading. For example, if the amp capacity of your breaker is 20 amps, you should only use 12-gauge wire, and if its 15 amps, the entire circuit should be 14-gauge.
Should I use 12 or 14-gauge wire?
Its OK to wire a 15-amp light circuit with a 14-gauge wire to save a bit of money and make the wiring job a bit easier. You must also use a 12-gauge wire when connecting an outlet rated for 20 amps, as many GFCI outlets are, even if the appliances you plug in are rated for only 15 amps.
How long can you run 12-gauge wire?
You can run a 12 gauge wire up to 70 feet on a 15 amp circuit. That number drops to 50 feet if you run 12 gauge wire on a 20 amp circuit.
What size wire do I need for a 50 gallon water heater?
The standard for water heater circuits is #10, two conductors with ground (10/2) and a 30 amp circuit breaker for a water heater. If you are running cable anyway, just run #10 and replace the breaker so its done right, once and for all.