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How to install electric meter on 240Volt water heater |
| 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 |
White
14 gauge 15 amp 120 volt 15 amp outlet, AFCI, GFCI, timer, switch etc can be installed on 15 or 20 amp breaker. Never connect 15 gauge wire to 20-30-40 amp breaker.  White/ #14 gauge wire, with ground ... 15 amp capacity. Safe maximum 12 amps. Buy: 14-2 gauge/ 15 amp 14-3/ 15 amp NMB is house wiring UF is underground |
| 50-60
amp breaker use 6 gauge / 240 volt 50 outlet can be installed on 50 amp breaker only  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  Buy: 8-2 wire Southwire electric tools NMB is house wiring UF is underground |
  Copper ground wire. Every device, load, metal enclosure etc must be grounded. Ground wire must be continuous throughout installation, never switched on-off, never used as a Neutral wire. Generally ... use same size as other wire in circuit Buy: 12 gauge copper ground wire Ground wire Green ground wire Ground pigtails Ground rods/ ground clamps at Amazon |
 Non metallic flexible cables must carry ground wire, but do not have hazard of short circuit causing injury from shock. Armored steel cable can be used as a grounded connection, and will protect wires from damage. Metal can be energized from an insulation failure. All conduit ...metal, plastic ... flexible and rigid ... must be attached to structure, and attached to enclosures, boxes. Movement, damage and deterioration are major cause of electrical failure. Buy: Non-metallic flexible conduit Power whip Armored cable Southwire armored cable cutter Pull boxes |
 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 |
 600 volt 12 ga Stranded wire ot THHN wire is good for conduit with multiple wires ... but stranded cannot be installed under screw terminals on outlets, switches, timers etc without risk ... of heat causing splayed strands ....that come loose ... and begin to arc. Connect stranded to short piece of solid copper wire, and attach solid to screw terminal. Do not solder residential or commercial wiring. Project wire, extension cords, thermostat, bell and automotive wire are not rated for residential or commercial wiring. Only wire maked 600 volt can be used for permanent household wiring. Buy: Southwire 600 volt stranded wire Rolls of stranded wire HOOK UP Wires |
 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 at Amazon |
  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 at Amazon Electric Wire Stripping Machine Linesman pliers Utility knife at Amazon |
 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 at Amazon Klein multimeter Electric testers at Amazon Clampmeter for testing amp flow on line |
 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 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 |
Push down 2" wide Push down breaker Plug-in 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 |
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 120Volt meter for refrigerator,
microwave, computer etcResources: Kill a watt Instruction .pdf Buy: Energy meters |
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 Basic water heater circuit 30 amp 10 gauge wire supports up to 5500 watt non-simultaneous 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 |
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240 volt Meter on water heater I installed meter on my water heater 12-16-2011. Beginning reading 00005 Kwh Meter reading on 5-30-18 showed 11732 Kwh Usage over 6.41 years ... average 1827 Kwh per year x 14¢ = $255.8 per year = $21.32 per month for 2 people with 30 gallon water heater Use Kwh hour meter to record usage of water heater. This is most accurate way to determine what percentage of bill is going to water heater over a full month. Take only showers for a week see what it costs per shower vrs bath ... observe hot water usage for laundry etc. To connect meter: Temporarily disconnect wires from top of heater. Install meter on two jumper wires. Use jumpers to temporarily reconnect power to water heater. Cover with tape to secure temporary connection. Add conduit and junction box if meter is to be installed for any length of time. Buy Bomain power meter 240 volt pass thru Kwh meters Resource: How many kilowatts to heat water |
 Meter on water heaterThe Kwh meter is din rail mounted inside enclosure. Buy Bomain power meter Ketotek power meter 240 volt pass through Kwh meter 2T2502GA beige plastic enclosure 2T2500GA grey plastic enclosure din rails Resource: Enclosures Figure volts amp watts for water heater |
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Step
1:  Never
assume power is OFFUse 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 flooded water heater, or timer that had a short or fire without turning power OFF. target="_blank" Buy: Klein testers Multimeters at Amazon Buy non-contact voltage tester at Amazon Electric testers at Amazon |
 -Buy digital meter for easy read-out.-Install meter and meter box level so it looks right. Buy meter and base: New and used electric meters 120v and 240v Single phase 200 amp 240 volt meters Meter bases/ socket 100 amp round base |
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Step 3:
Review electric meter Stab meter into meter box. 4 prongs on meter stab into meter box. It takes strong push to install meter. Meter 'plugs in' like extension cord There are no screws or fasteners that hold meter in place. |
 Larger image Neutral wire is not used for 240Volt circuit |
Step 4:
Attach wire to meter box/
socket READ INSTRUCTIONS THAT COME WITH METER 1) Attach meter box to wall or supports with screws. Meter box must be strong and secure. Keep meter box level so meter is level and looks right 2) Use conduit, or approved connections at meter box. This example shows 1" galvanized pipe and attachment brace. 3) Connect 240Volt wires from circuit breaker to top prongs inside meter box. 4) Screw down terminals very tight against wire. |
 Larger image Image shows 240Volt circuit. Neutral wire is not used for 240V circuit |
Step 5:
attach 2nd wire to meter box 10 gauge wire for water heater has 2 Hots and 1 ground 2 Hot wires and 1 ground wire enter and leave meter box Install new wire between water heater and meter box. Example shows orange-colored 10 gauge wire recommended for water heater circuit. Use same gauge wire as original wire from circuit breaker. Do not use smaller gauge wire. Larger wire is fine since it runs with less heat loss. Resources: See wire sizes Connect one end of new wire to lower prongs on meter box. Connect other end to water heater. |
 Household NM-B Wires are color-coded so inspectors/ electricians can easily identify which wire is used during construction See more wire gauges |
General Wire information Use 10 gauge wire for 4500 watt water heater Use 12 gauge for 3500 watt water heater. Use only 600 volt wire ... extension cords are not permitted by code. Use only solid copper wire. There is no neutral in 240 volt circuit. The black wire is Hot. The white wire is Hot Resources: See wire sizes Read more about electric wiring |
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Black tape marks white wire that carries power 10-2 w/g NM-B household wire. Add black tape to white wire when using white wire for Hot instead of Neutral. |
 Larger image  10-3 w/g (with ground) NM-B indoor household wire |
How to
connect 10-3 wire to meter If your 240Volt circuit has neutral, then neutral does not connect to meter. Applies to single-phase/ split phase 240volt residential The Neutral wire does not connect to meter For example when installing meter on electric dryer. Resources: How to wire 240Volt outlets See wire gauges and charts |
 Larger image Keep meter box level so meter is level and looks right |
Finish
details 1) Make sure meter box is attached firmly to solid surface. 2) Make sure wiring matches manual that comes with meter 3) Check for latch on back of 120V-240v meters 4) Stab meter into meter box. It takes strong push to install meter. Meter 'plugs in' like extension cord, and there are no screws or fasteners that hold meter in place. 5) Turn 240Volt circuit breaker ON. Meter records usage as water heater consumes power. 6) If water heater is not working. Remove cover on water heater. Remove wire connectors and test Black wire to bare ground. Test White wire to bare ground. This will ensure that water heater is receiving power and that ground wire has continuity back to breaker box. Resources: How to troubleshoot electric water heater How to select wire size |
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Meters
rated for 120Volt and 240Volt have latch on back of meter.
Meters rated for 240Volt-only do not have latch  Meter latch on back of electric meter Latch on back of electric meter can be open or closed. Electric power will flow to water heater if latch is open or closed.. Meter will not record Kilowatt-hours unless latch is closed. Be sure to tighten screws holding latch. |
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Household Meter box has live power at all times |
How
to remove power company meter To remove power company meter: Power company Meter will have locking band Call power company for 'meter pull' Read more Pull down firmly, and then shove upward Repeat until meter comes loose Turn off breakers before installing or removing meter Resources: More about household electricity More about power grid |
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 Install
heavy-amp
meter
on subpanelMeter electric usage of garage apartment Meter electric usage of home office for tax purpose Meter electric usage of workshop for tax deduction Monitor electric use of tankless electric water heater Resources: How to wire subpanel How to wire tankless electric Larger image |
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Installing Hour meters on water
heater
If
hour meter is installed directly to incoming wires at top of water
heater, the meter will run full-time since it will receive power full
time.
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Use
240 Volt Hour meter Requires two 240Volt hour meters. One meter for each element. Install meter on each element as shown in illustration. 240Volt potential exists across element terminals. When thermostat closes the circuit, then 240Volt element is turned ON. The hour meter will turn ON at same time. Buy: UWZ48E-240V AC hour meter at Amazon Intermatic bezel to support UWZ hour meter 240 volt hour meters Intermatic ac hour meters at Amazon |
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 Do not
install stranded wire and solid wire under same screw terminal. Do not
install 2 different gauge wires under same screw terminal. Doing so can
result in loose wires and heat damage to element and wires.Connect wires with wire connector, then put one wire under element screw plate. |
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Install
Hour meters Illustration is for illustration purpose only. Wiring should NOT be open as shown in illustration. All wiring should be enclosed inside covered electrical box. Actual installation might require drilling holes in water heater covers and installing electrical box directly to front of water heater. Factory
insulation and covers must be put over both elements and
thermostats so water heater thermostat will read correct temperature Altering
water heater will void warranty |
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Cover
thermostats with insulation Factory protector, insulation and covers must be put over both elements and thermostats so water heater thermostat will read correct temperature. Thermostat exposed to cooler room temperatures and will misread tank temperature, leading to scalding and overheating dangers. Resources: Water heater safety precautions Troubleshoot electric water heater |
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Wattage printed on side of element Label on side of tank also shows watt rating. Measure voltage of incoming power for 240V Resources: How to figure volts, amps, watts for electric water heater How to test elements |
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How
to read hour-meter results: Wattage of element must be determined Use multimeter to check voltage of water heater Look at label on side of tank for different wattages at different voltages Lower voltage means lower wattage than shows on element. Confirm element wattage printed on end of each element For example 4500 watt element and 240 volts Hour meter reads 6 hours 4500 watts x 6 hours = 27,000 watt hours 27,0000 divided by 1000 = 27 kilowatt hours Buy: UWZ48E-240V AC hour meter at Amazon Intermatic bezel to support UWZ hour meter Intermatic ac hour meters at Amazon  Experiment: Set lower
thermostat to 120
degrees, and set upper thermostat to 135 degrees and use hour meter
results from each element to determine if water
heater runs less than having both thermostats set at 135 degrees.Resources: Ohm chart for testing elements How to test elements Read 9 ways to save with water heater |
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Information
links for Elements and thermostats Resources: How to test elements How to wire water heater thermostats How to troubleshoot electric water heater More Do-it-yourself water heater |
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Resources: Math charts for setting water heater timer by incoming water temperature Calculation for heating water with electricity |
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Resource: Electricity: The grid is defined by three parts: transmission, distribution and end user. The following links show how it works Power plant to end user power pole Power pole to residential breaker box Power pole to commercial breaker box How to wire residential electric How to wire commercial 3-phase Why you need ground wire How to wire 3-phase timer 3-phase water heater |
 Contactors/ relays |
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