do it yourself water heater timer

Back to Page 1: gather materials

Back to Page 2: connect wires

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Do-it-yourself plan to control water heater with a timer or switch.

Final: Page 3 of 3: Finish wiring contactor

This is project overview showing attic light and box with contactor

This is where we are so far

Next goal is connect neutral wire from contactor to attic light

Step 1.) Run 14-2 romex from attic light to 6x6 enclosure > this will connect the circuit to a neutral wire

14-2 romex

FYI: This step can be short-cutted by connecting 2nd side of contactor directly to ground wire inside 6x6 enclosure.
<> Grounding 2nd side of contactor will accomplish goal without going to neutral, but is not code. This is because the ground would be completing a circuit. If grounds were used to complete circuits, then a hazard would exist inside every box that has a bare ground wire. Since every box has a ground wire, a potential hazard would exist in every box. That's why using a ground to complete a circuit is not permitted by code.
<> Attaching the circuit to neutral as shown is code.

Enlarged area showing how to tie into white neutral wire at attic light fixture.

Do not connect black wire > although the 14-2 romex has a black wire, this step uses only the white wire.

How to twist wire together
Wire nut basics

bbbbbbbbbbbbbbb transformer in attic

If attic light is difficult to reach, any neutral wire will work. For example, look for transformer connected to octagon box. This box gives power to doorbell or alarm system, and will have a white neutral inside octagon box.

Step 2.) Final wire inside 6x6 enclosure

In Step 1 above, 14-2 romex was run from attic light to 6x6 enclosure. And white wire was connected to white neutral at attic light. We did not use black wire.

Here in Step 2, romex arrives in 6x6 enclosure. The black wire is cut off since it is not used. The white wire is connected to contactor as shown. This will complete contactor circuit, and turn on water heater whenever timer orders.

Finishing touches