Wire GE timer
Keep wires and conduit straight

How to wire GE 15087 timer

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GE 15136 timer
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GE 15135 24-hour/ 40 amp/ outdoor box


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Quick-start guide to wiring

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Never assume power is OFF
Use non-contact voltage tester on timer, on wire, on outlet to see if power is present.
Press button on tester, if single beep then no power is present. If continuous beep then power is present.
Never stand on bare ground, always stand on dry boards, do not hold or touch anything metal when working on timer or water heater that has power, tape tester leads to wood sticks, never touch wet water heater, or appliance, or device that was flooded, or outdoor enclosure, or timer, that had a short or fire without turning power OFF.

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GE 15207 water heater timer
See Close-up
GE 15087 TimerGE 15136 timer
See large image
Timer safe for 1 residential water heater.

15207 (15087) Nema1 indoor
15135 Nema3R indoor-outdoor

Buy:
GE 15135 24-hour/ 40 amp/ outdoor metal box at Amazon

Resources:
GE-15087-15207-56922-Manual
Quick-start guide to wiring

Max 24 on-off periods per day

Step 1:
Remove screws on face to access wiring.
Set dip switch before connecting power.

Manual says that incorrect dip-switch setting will damage timer.
dip switch Step 2: Dip switches

GE 15087 timer can be used for 120V or 240V water heaters > change dip switches and select voltage.

Water heater voltage is on label of each device. Match dip switches to voltage.

Resources:
Figure Volts Amps Watts
Basic 240V water heater circuit


Use cable connector
1/2" & 3/4" knockouts

Terminals: TIMER  NO  NC  COM  NO2  NC2  COM2
Step 4: Wiring features

Four basic features inside 15087

1. Dip switches
2. Screw terminals for clock
3. Screw terminals to contactors
4. Contactors/relays that handle on-off switching to water heater


Larger image
More ways to wire for 240Volt

240 Volt



Wiring diagram for 240V water heater. Both white and black wires are hot.
Power connects to clock, and to COM terminals

Use 10 gauge wire for 240V water heater

GE 15087 timer is housed in plastic box
Ground wire is not connected to box
Ground wire travels continuously from breaker box to water heater.


When using black-and-white wires for 240Volt, add tape to white wire.
This action will tell next electrician that white wire carries power

Larger image
More ways to wire for 240Volt

240 Volt


Different way to do same wiring shown in first image above using NO and COM terminals in reverse.

Why show this variation when manual does not?
SPDT timer with dip switches, and dry NO NC contacts can be wired many different ways.
There is no ez way to show all options.
Resource:
More ways to wire for 240Volt


Set dip switches BEFORE applying voltage to terminals.
Do not spark-test wires across terminals.
Wire GE timer for 120-240 voltsElement rated for 4500 watts @ 240Volt, will consume 25% or 1125 watts @ 120Volt

Timer toggles water heater between 120Volt and 240Volt

Use SPDT timer to change water heater between 120Volt and 240Volt

Use 120Volt at peak-electric price.
Water heater recovers slowly with 120Volt, and uses 1/4 power.

Use 240Volt when electric prices are lower, and faster recovery is needed.

Resources:
How to change water heater to 120Volts
Off-peak water heater options
9 ways to save with water heater
Install electric meter on water heater
Timer toggle between applainces
Larger image
Buy:
Dishwashers at Amazon
120-240Volts
Use Timer to toggle between appliances

240Volt circuit can be cut off by turning off one hot wire.
Put water heater on NC normally open terminal, so water heater is ON all the time, except when timer turns ON, and then circuit to dryer is activated.

Resources:
Same wiring applies to many timers including Intermatic GM40 & WHQ, Tork DTU40
Other timers can perform same operation such as Intermatic T1905 & T1975

How to wire 240Volt outlets
GE 15207 timer controls 2-speed pool pump
Always check pump voltage and wiring diagram located on nameplate
120-240Volts
GE 15000 series timers control 2-speed pump

Low speed is connected to NC terminal, and then pump operates continuously in low speed until timer turns ON.
When timer turns ON, High speed turns ON.
Diagram applies for both 120V and 240V 2-speed pool pumps.
Other timers can be used for 2-speed pool pump:
Resources:
Tork DTU40, GM40 timer, T106 timer, T1906 timer
Pump operates continuously. Install another timer on L2 Hot line to turn pump ON-OFF
Change water heater temperature using timer
Larger image
Change water heater temperature using GE 15207 timer
Same wiring applies to GE 15087- 15132 etc series timers
Applies to Tork DTU timer and Intermatic GM40 timer
and Intermatic WHQ series

120-240Volts
Use timer for two different temperatures on electric water heater.

Either upper thermostat and element have power or lower themostat and element have power. But not both at same time.

Install ECO-protected thermostat for lower thermostat.
Both upper and lower parts of tank are ECO-protected from overheating
Rewire tank so upper and lower parts are separate.
Use GM40 timer to switch power between lower and upper parts of tank.

Normal operation, the lower thermost and element receive power and keep tank at temperature set point. Upper thermostat and element have no power.
This is called 'redundant' water heater operation. This technique for heating tank more rapidly after cold water first enters tank.

When timer activates, power to lower part of tank turns OFF. Power to upper part of tank begins. Upper thermostat is set for higher temperature.
Since tank is at regular temperature, the higher setting means upper element will turn ON and begin heating tank to higher set point.

Use this technique to heat water very hot for laundry cycle.
Disadvantage: The lower part of tank will cool rapidly as new cold water enters tank, so this technique is good for making short-term batches of hot water.

How to wire thermostats
How electric water heaters work

120 Volt



Wiring diagram for 120V water heater. The black wire is hot, the white wire is neutral.

GE 15087 timer is housed in plastic box
Ground wire is not connected to box
Ground wire travels continuously from breaker box to water heater.
Wire GE15207 for under counter water heater

120 Volt


Timer wired to control under-counter water heater
Avoids having to run additional wire to power 1500 watt under-counter water heater.
Circuit uses same wire that powers dishwasher.
Either dishwasher or water heater can be used, but not both at same time.
Set dip switches for 120Volt
Resource:
How to install under-counter water heater
GE 15207 3-phase
Larger image
120-208-240 volt 3-phase
Example: High leg delta
Tork DTU 3-phase timer 120 or 208 or 240Volt
See more 3-phase
What is high leg delta
High leg delta
GE 15207 timer 277 volt 3-phase GE 15207 3-phase
Larger image

277-480 volt 3-phase

Wire GM40 controls 3-phase
Use 277V
480V contactor or 277V contactor
Fused disconnect required on 3-phase and timer wires
277-480 3-phase
How to wire 3-phase timer
What is 277 volt
See more 3-phase

Solid copper wire only
Insdulation under screw plate
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Both wires MUST be same gauge
Straighten each wire
Tighten screw very tight against copper wire


Larger image

Connect stranded and solid with wire connector and run jumper to screw plate.
See example image

Use wire connector    
Push on wire connectors
Use push-on wire connectors
3 wires/ or different gauge wires
Join wires with wire connector or push-on connector
Run jumper to screw terminal.
Buy:
Push on wire connectors
Red 3P connector (shown) for 10-14 gauge wire
Resource:
How to select and install wire connector
10-3-wire
10-3-wire  12 Ga
10 gauge or 12 gauge?
10 gauge is larger/ for 30 amp breaker. 12 gauge is smaller/ for 20 amp breaker
10 gauge wire can have black-white or black-red
12 gauge will have black and white wires

Buy short pieces 10 and 12 gauge wire at local box store
Compare with your wire.
Match color code and amp rating for wire
With 120 and 277 Volt circuits, white wire is always Neutral, and black is Hot
Hot wire is always switched on-off. Neutral wire remains connected without switching.
With 208 and 240 circuits, both wires are Hot, and both wires carry voltage.
Either Hot wire can be switched on-off. Or both Hot wires can be switched on-off.
Add black tape when white wire carries voltage (applies to 208 and 240V circuits)
CA3750
CA3750 has 5 knock-outs
1 on back, 1 on each side and 2 on bottom

Keep enclosure door closed
Fire safety
Always keep enclosure (box) cover closed
Romex connector Use Wire connectors, or conduit clamps to secure wire to enclosure
By code, all wire must be securely attached to enclosure to prevent wire pull-out.
Wires or conduit must be secured to structure, so there are no loose wires.
Wires inside the enclosure cannot lay over top of connection terminals.
Join all ground wires together and cover with wire connector.
Push ground wires down and away from connection terminals.
2T2500GA plastic outdoor enclosure has 5 knock outs for 1/2" and 3/4" Wire connectors 1 on back, 1 on each side and 2 on bottom
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