Waterheatertimer.org
is a self-help site
Compare 16 electric and 2 gas water heater timers Do-it-yourself 9 ways to save with water heater Troubleshoot electric water heater

Figure Volts Amps Watts for water heater How to wire tankless electric water heater
Troubleshoot gas water heater
Home
Search waterheatertimer.org / all results
Search using Find button  

 Tweet button  
Waterheatertimer on Twitter
How to remove broken light bulb
pliers Light bulb might get broken or break off when unscrewing from socket...
To prevent stuck bulb: spray WD40 to aluminum part of new bulb before screwing into light fixture... don't breathe WD40 vapor, and be mindful WD40 vapor is extremely flammable.

Tools needed: Very small flat-tip screwdriver and needle nose pliers

Turn power off, wear safety goggles
Remove as much glass as possible using needle nose pliers

Use small screwdriver and pry aluminum part of bulb inward away from socket all the way around the perimeter.

Grab onto the aluminum with needle pliers
Roll the needle nose pliers in same direction as unscrewing light bulb. Aluminum part of bulb will start to wrap around the pliers until the bulb finally unscrews.

Multimeter
Test for breaks in wire/ Test for voltage
Most appliance require 80% rated voltage to function correctly
Buy
Analog multimeter
Multimeters at Amazon
Klein multimeter
Electric testers at Amazon
Clampmeter for testing amp flow on line
Resource:
How to test and replace element
How to test thermocouple
Element tests for 120 volts
How to test wire
Safety when testing wires:
Never touch wet or previously flooded appliance.
Never stand on wet surface when working on electric.
Never stand on bare soil, put down dry boards.
Tape tester leads to wood sticks to keep hands away from power.
Use non-contact voltage tester before touching wires.
Never touch or lean into any made of metal.
Remove metal objects from pockets.
Do not use oxygen or fuel accelerants in same room as electrical repairs

Resource:
Basic house wiring

Non-contact voltage tester
Test for power without touching connectors
NEVER assume power is OFF

Buy:
Non-contact voltage tester Amazon
Electric testers at Amazon
Resource:
How to test electric power is off
GFCI receptacle120 volt 15 amp devices including GFCI, timers, switches, plugs, wifi controls etc can be installed on 15 or 20 amp breaker.

120 volt GFCI, outlet, receptacle that is rated 20 amp can be installed on 20 amp breaker only, but NOT on 15 amp breaker.  
Buy
15 amp GFCI
20 amp GFCI
Buy
Basic electric book
Home plumbing/ electrical codes
Basic electric book
Or learn about basic household electricity... use and search my site/
Resource
Safe electric wiring
Basic house wiring

Use outlet tester to check for correct wiring on any 120 volt straight-blade outlet.
Buy:
Klein testers
Outlet tester
Circuit breaker finder
Electric usage monitor
armored cable
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
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
Connect wire to screw terminal
Use only 600 volt solid copper wire.
Do not use stranded wire or extension cord.
Do not use solder anywhere on residential 120-240 volt wiring.
Attach electric installation to structure. Tighten screws very tight against wire.

Buy:
NEC books
Dewalt plumbing/ electrical codes
Basic electric book
National electric code guide/ illustrated

Resources:
How to twist wire
How to select and install twist-on wire connectors
Lever switchWeatherproof lever switch on outdoor lights
Safely operate outdoor toggle switch
Replaces outdoor cover
Install over top of ordinary switch
Works with single-pole, double-pole, 3PST, 3-way, 4-way switches etc
Use weatherproof box for outdoor
Can be used indoor or outdoor

Buy:
Best choice: Cantex lever switch
Outdoor lever switches at Amazon
Lever switches

Resource
Cantex-toggle-switch-covers.pdf
Cantex-PVC-junction-boxes.pdf

Treminals

Terminals

Buy:
Terminal kit
Blue for 16-14 wire
Yellow for 12-10 wire

Resource:
How to install terminal
Push on wire connectors

Push-on wire connectors in place of twist-on connectors

Buy:
Push on wire connectors Amazon
Red 3P connector for 10-14 gauge wire
Lever connectors for stranded wire at Amazon

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

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

 


When removing insulation from wire, do NOT score or put cuts on surface of copper wire. Doing so increases resistances on wire and creates weak point.
Buy tools:
Wire strippers at Amazon
Linesman pliers
Pro linesman plier
Needle nose pliers
End cutting nippers at Amazon

Weather resistant plastic box for outdoor extension cord connections, Christmas lights, outdoor power strip etc . Not for connecting wires with wire nutsŪ, or in-wall wiring, but can be used indoors to organize extension cords, power strips etc.
Weather resistant is not weatherproof or watertight. Use enclosures rated IP65 and IP67 for waterproof.
Extension cords cannot be used for permanent wiring.
Buy:
Large-medium-small electric cord box
Socketbox
Raintight enclosures
Water-tight cord lock
Resource: Enclosures and boxes

Each electrical device has a rating plate with amps and watts
14 amp device is ok on 20-30 amp line
20 amp device is ok on 30 amp line
20 amp device is not ok on 15 amp line
30 amp device is not ok on 20 amp line
Resources:
How to wire switches
How to add a switch
Replace outlet with combo switch
How to add outlet
How to wire Combo switches

Ground outdoor motors and boxes
Never use ground for Neutral
Never use Neutral for ground
Using ground as a Neutral can cause the short circuit and potential fire to detour into the device that is improperly connected.
Bond all grounds together to help protect against surge and lightning damage.
Resources:
Why you need ground wire
Difference ground vs surge
   
GFCI breakers and outlets trip faster than ordinary circuit breaker to protect from shock caused by short to ground. AFCI does the same plus trips when spark is detected.
Install GFCI in bathrooms, kitchen, laundry room, and on all outdoor plugs.
Resources:
How to wire GFCI and AFCI
What causes electrocution

Not enough space for circuit breakers
How to add tandem breaker
How to install subpanel
How to replace circuit breaker

Buy:
124TP2608A 4 breaker spaces
124T2530A 8 breaker spaces

Under counter water heaters are used to provide hot water to smaller consumption areas or to supplement or replace main water heater.
When adding appliances, check the rating plate for volts and amps. Always match wire and breaker size.
Resource:
How to wire under counter water heater

Electric Tankless water heaters are used as main water heater, or as supplement to supply one area.
Wiring is straightforward if the circuit breaker panel has enough spaces and capacity for the amp draw.
Resource:
How to wire Tankless water heater

Every electrical device and connection needs to be contained within an enclosure with cover.
Secure wires and conduit to structure using staples, clamps etc. so the wire cannot come loose.

Wire ends should be twisted together and covered with wire connector.
Resources:
Enclosures
Romex connectors
How to twist wire
Wire connectors/
Lever switch
Weatherproof lever switch on outdoor lights
Safely operate outdoor toggle switch
Replaces outdoor cover
Install over top of ordinary switch
Works with single-pole, double-pole, 3PST, 3-way, 4-way switches etc
Use weatherproof box for outdoor
Can be used indoor or outdoor
Buy:
Best choice: Cantex lever switch
Outdoor lever switches
Lever switches

Safety switch
Resource:
How to wire safety switches
surge protector
Surge Protection is a consumable product that absorbs irregular voltage and protects circuits from damage.
Resource:
How to wire surge protection

Subpanels are used to expand electric service by adding more breaker spaces
Resource:
How to wire subpanel

240 volt outlets are used for window air conditioner, RV hook-ups, electric car, dryer, range welder etc
Resources:
How to wire 240 volt outlets
How to wire twist lock devices
Support the economy:
Buy water heaters from my associate links:

50 gallon Gas water heaters at Amazon
40 gallon gas water heaters at Amazon
50 gallon Electric water heaters at Amazon
40 gallon electric water heaters at Amazon
Hybrid / heat pump/ water heaters at Amazon

Resources:
How to install gas water heater
How to install electric water heater
Troubleshoot gas water heater
Troubleshoot electric water heater
Point of use water heaters
Resources:
Troubleshoot Gas valves with manuals
Icon gas valve

How to replace water heater element Waste King disposal
How to wire tankless electric


Install point of use water heater
Titan tankless

Contactors/ relays
Type 1 and type 2 surge protection surge protection
Programmable timers

Woods timers
surge protection
Anode rods anode rods
Recirculation system

Tankless recirculation
Point of use water heater
Install and troubleshoot garbage disposal Waste King disposal
Buy
Electronic parts

Industrial supplies

Tools and home improvement

Home and garden

Hayward pool
Pentair pool

Southwire electric
Buy
Tools

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
box timers Resource:
Compare box timers
DPDT timers
Intermatic
Control water heater w/ Z-wave
Intermatic control centers Resource:
Intermatic control centers: and parts
Digital control centers and parts
Tork control centers and parts
Subpanels
All control centers and parts
Enclosures
programmable timer Resource:
Programmable timers
Countdown timers
Off delay timers
On delay timers
Timer modules
Din rail
Twin & one-shot
Woods
Intermatic
Tork
Low voltage power packs Recirculation systems
Buy from my affiliate links every time/ thanks:
Amazon
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Enter Amazon from any link on my site, fill cart with any item ... purchases pay small commission

E-mail: geno03245w@gmail.com
My response might end up in spam folder, check email folders
Waterheatertimer on Twitter
Message thru facebook