Adding heat- wiring question

ChrisNeilan · Post by **ChrisNeilan** » Thu Jul 30, 2020 8:25 am

I am going to add some electric baseboard heat to my soon to be insulated and “sound proofed” basement shop. Thirty solar panels just went up on my roof! My question is, at 240 volts, what is the maximum wattage that 12 gauge can safely handle?
As always, thanks in advance.
Chris

ChrisNeilan · Post by **ChrisNeilan** » Thu Jul 30, 2020 8:34 am

Thanks Dusty. I plan on installing two 1500 watt heaters. I’ll run the wire prior to hitting the walls with spray foam insulation. Great vapor barrier .

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Thu Jul 30, 2020 9:15 am

#12 awg is 'rated' for 20 A. The voltage is irrelevant, but typical romex etc. is 'rated' 600v.

Did Dusty say something???

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Thu Jul 30, 2020 9:21 am

JPG wrote:#12 awg is 'rated' for 20 A. The voltage is irrelevant, but typical romex etc. is 'rated' 600v.

Did Dusty say something???

Yes I did but I deleted it. After rereading my reference, I was uncertain about the number I stated.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Thu Jul 30, 2020 9:21 am

JPG wrote:#12 awg is 'rated' for 20 A. The voltage is irrelevant, but typical romex etc. is 'rated' 600v.

Did Dusty say something???

Yes I did but I deleted it. After rereading my reference, I was uncertain about the number I stated.

https://www.icmag.com/modules/Tutorials ... y/1655.htm

Local Code????

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Thu Jul 30, 2020 9:51 am

After reading what dusty referenced;

I would recommend staying below 16A for electric heating supply wiring since long term loading is likely. I would also recommend larger wire size if run is very long.

BTW at 240v @ 16A(resistive) = 3840 W.

2 x 1500W will be safely supplied with #12, but #10 is more gooder if run is very far. 10-2(with #10 ground) will suffice. 10-3(w/o ground) will also do if ground wire is painted/marked. Local codes need to be strictly adhered to fer sure with this project!!!!!!!!!

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Thu Jul 30, 2020 10:07 am

P.S. I would use #10-2 BX for supply wiring, NOT romex. I assume it still exists.

SpencerWhite · Post by **SpencerWhite** » Mon Jul 11, 2022 11:02 pm

After you’ve figured out the usage, you need to select the technology.

ChrisNeilan · Post by **ChrisNeilan** » Tue Jul 12, 2022 11:06 pm

Well, time flies! I did run 10 gauge wire, but never installed any heat. With all the insulation I installed, and the fact that my furnace lives nearby, the temperature never got below 65 degrees! My sleeve unit AC has a heat function, but I only turned it on once over the winter just to see if it works!

Hobbyman2 · Post by **Hobbyman2** » Tue Jul 12, 2022 11:55 pm

Any pro's and or cons on the solar panel system so far ? we have been tossing around the idea , it just worries me during the winter when the panels would be covered or have less hrs to charge the batteries . one person mentioned converting to LED lighting to reduce the stress on the system .

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Adding heat- wiring question

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