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Control water heater with Z-wave switch
Use only 600 volt wire.
Lamp cord, extension cords are not rated 600 volt.
Use copper wire only. Aluminum wire is fire risk and should be avoided or installed by professional.

30 amp breaker use 10 gauge /
120-240 volt 30 amp outlet can be installed on 30 amp breaker only/ use 10 gauge wire ... cannot be connected to 15-20-40 amp breaker.

Orange/ #10 gauge wire, with ground ... 30 amp capacity. Safe maximum: 30 x 80% = 24 amps.
Buy:
10-2 gauge/ 30 amp
10-3/ 30 amp
Southwire electric tools
Yellow 12 gauge 20 amp
120 volt 20 amp outlet can be installed on 20 amp breaker, but not 15 amp breaker/ use 12 ga wire.
... cannot be connected to 30-40 amp breaker. 1

Yellow/ #12 gauge wire, with ground ... 20 amp capacity. Safe maximum 16 amps.
Buy:
12-2 gauge/ 20 amp
12-3/ 20 amp

NMB is house wiring
UF is underground
Rolls of stranded wire
HOOK UP Wires
50-60 amp breaker use 6 gauge /
240 volt 50 outlet can be installed on 50 amp breaker only
6-2 wire
Buy:
6-2 wire
Southwire electric tools
NMB is house wiring
UF is underground
40-50 amp breaker use 8 gauge /
240 volt 40 amp outlet can be installed on 40 or 50 amp breaker only
6-2 wire
Buy:
8-2 wire
Southwire electric tools
NMB is house wiring
UF is underground
multimeter
Multimeters
Voltage is tested across two separate wires. Ohms or resistance is tested across both ends of same wire. Amperage is tested along one or two points on same wire.
Buy:
Analog multimeter
Multimeters 
Klein multimeter
Electric testers 
Clampmeter for testing amp flow on line
Southwire armored cable cutter
Electrical tools must be insulated.
Always best to disconnect power, but insulation failure, lack of proper grounding, grounded neutral, lack of GFCI, out-of-code wiring, generator operating without transfer switch, and other problems still pose a risk to anyone working on electric power ... even when breaker is off.

Buy:
Electrician tools kits
KLEIN TOOLS
Tools kits
IRWIN tools
KNIPEX

Telephone cable knife
Low Voltage Mounting Bracket for Telephone

Protect wiring from damage
Use nipper instead of pliers or screwdriver for removing staples (and nails). Do not damage cable or wires inside cable.

-Code says: Cable SHALL BE secured without damage to the outer covering. NEC sec. 336-15
Buy
End cutting nippers 


Electrically insulated tools
When removing insulation from wire, do NOT score or put cuts on surface of copper wire. Doing so increases resistance and heat on wire and creates possible weak point.
Buy tools:
KLEIN TOOLS
Wire strippers 
Electric Wire Stripping Machine
Linesman pliers
Utility knife 

GFCI circuit breaker
A GFCI circuit breaker will protect all boxes on circuit.

Circuit must be grounded. Ground wire must be continuous and connected to each piece of equipment.

White wire on circuit breaker must be connected to Neutral busbar inside the breaker panel.

Buy
GFCI circuit breakers
Push down
single-pole breaker double-pole breaker
1" wide Push down breaker
Plug-in breaker
Buy single-pole:
Choose from 15 to 60 amp
Eaton CL series
Siemens 15-60 amp

Single-pole tandem breaker
Tandem breakers
Buy double-pole:
Choose from 15 to 125 amp
Choose from 15 amp to 200 amp
Eaton CL series circuit breaker
Siemens circuit breaker
Double pole GFCI

Finished project with zwave switch.

Finished project with zwave switch.

Image courtesy D Rodriquez from his project, based on  step-by-step shown following link: zwave install ... he did the work while we exchanged email.

Picture shows 6x6x4 metal enclosure with a contactor, indicator light to signal when water heater has power, flexible conduit with 10 gauge wire, Energy Smart water heater, zwave switch, and 120 volt power source for zwave switch...
.... the 120 volt power source is an ordinary wall box (like a light switch or wall plug) containing 120 volt hot, neutral and ground wires and is where Mr Rodriquez pulled power for the 120 volt zwave switch and contactor ....
... the 24 volt transformer located on top of 120 volt power source is for another circuit, possibly a doorbell or security system, and has nothing to do with the zwave switch or water heater installation.

How it works: The zwave switch is powered by 120 volt and stands ready to receive zwave command from phone or other zwave controller. When the zwave switch receives signal, it turns on the 120 volt circuit that goes to the 2-pole contactor located inside the metal enclosure. The contactor then 'closes' the 30 amp 240 volt circuit going to water heater and water heater receives power.
With electric circuits: closed 'circuit' is ON, and 'open' circuit is OFF.

Buy project materials from my affiliate links
Zwave switch
6 x 6 x 4 enclosure
240Volt coil contactor
120 volt led indicator light
Southwire

Control 240 volt with z-wave
Larger image
Control and amp 240 volt with z-wave switch
240 Volt Z-wave switch
Requires Neutral wire. Use ground wire as temporary neutral to check connection. Bring white neutral wire from any nearby light switch or outlet box

Resource
Materials list and detailed wiring instructions
contactorLarger image
What is a contactor?

Contactor is a switch. It is rated for high amp loads.
High amp causes heat. Heat will damage regular electrical parts.
Timers and wall switches can be damaged by high amperage.
Each switch and timer has amp rating.
Contactors are rated for more amps than ordinary wall switch or timer.

The electrical circuit lasts longer when a contactor is used because contact points on a contactor are designed to switch high amp loads without melting or being damaged by heat.
The electromagnetic coil can be switched on-off using ordinary wall switch or timer.
When voltage is applied to coil, then contact points close, and heavy amp circuit turns on.
This lets you control heavy amp loads using ordinary wall switch or timer.
Buy 2-Pole 40A resistive
120Volt coil 
240Volt coil 
24 volt coil 
Mars 2-pole and 3-pole contactors 
Resource
2-pole contactors
3-pole contactors for 3-phase control
45EG20AF in box
Larger image
2-pole 40 amp contactor in 6x6x4 enclosure
Using #8-32 x 3/4" bolts
Install contactor at angle leaves room for wire

This is DPST contactor
Double pole, single throw.
So the contactor is 2-pole. It can turn off 2 wires.
And single throw because both poles are on-off at same time.
So you can switch both wires in 240 volt circuit.
Buy Metal
Bud industries 6x6x4
Nema 3R Outdoor box
Hinged door/ 6x8x4

Polycarbonite enclosure
Bud industries boxes at Amazon
Arlington boxes at Amazon


Resources:


How to wire contactor for water heater
Enclosures


Zwave contactor
GE z-wave contactor Zwave contactor
Use the preassembled unit for zwave or wifi, instead of building from parts.
I prefer using parts as shown above, instead of preassembled unit because of price, flexibility, and repairability. The preassembled unit is easier to install, and comes in Nema 3R indoor-outdoor enclosure.
Buy
Zwave contactor
Intermatic zwave contactor
Wifi contactor
Woods WiOn wifi contactor
DEWENWILS brand wifi
Resource
How to control water heater with zwave switch
How to control water heater with zwave contactor

Wifi contactor
Buy:
DEWENWILS brand wifi
Wifi power switch
Wifi contactor
Resource
How to wire wifi contactor
How to wire GE contactor
How to wire Intermatic contactor

WIFI contactor
Migro wifi contactor

Buy
240 volt coil
120 volt coil
All in one: indoor-outdoor enclosure, contactor, sonoff wifi module, antenna.

Connect incoming wires to same side of contactor as sonoff is connected.
Connect load wires to opposite side of contactor.

Use phone etc to turn load on-off.

The contactor is not 50 amp as shown on amazon. 50 amp contactors are 5"x5" and considerably larger than ordinary 30-40 amp contactors that come with the Migro.

Enclosure must be mounted to structure using screws etc. Cannot be mounted to unsupported siding, sheetrock etc without proper anchoring.
Wires must be secured to structure. Extension cord is not approved for permanent wiring.
Use only 600 volt electrical wire as printed on side of wire. Solid copper is best for heavy amp loads.
Buy:
Sonoff remote controls

Insteon 2477SA1 X10 load controller  
Larger image
X10 for electric water heater
Insteon X10 relay for water heater 
30 amp resistive loads
Relay handles resistive load only:
Water heater, incandescent light bulb... yes
Motor, CFL, LED.... no
2 year warranty
Buy: $120
Insteon 240v / 30 amp X10 load controller for resistive loads only
Insteon remote control products 
Resource:
Insteon load controller manual
Whole house automation module
Z-wave for gas water heater
X10 for gas water heater

Resource:
Control gas water heater with X10, Zwave, or ordinary remote control
Control box
Enclosure with multiple contactors and relays

Buy:
Magnecraft box and cover
Magnecraft w199 relays
Siemens power relays
Schneider W199 relay
NTE open frame relays
Contactors/ reliable for heavy amp loads
15 amp Relays for loads up to 10 amps

Resource:
Enclosures
Contactors
How to wire open frame relay

Larger image
Control water heater remotely
Compare ways to control Gas and Electric heaters
Control gas water heater with remote control
Off-peak water heater strategies
Compare water heater timers




Buy
Tools
Milwaukee
DEWALT
Black and Decker
Stanley
SKIL
Makita
Porter-Cable
Bosch

Irwin Hand tools
Klein hand tools
Fluke electrical testing
Dremel hobby tools

Campbell Hausfeld air powered
Tekton automotive

Powerbuilt automotive
Saws and saw blades

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Amazon
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