Discussions

Hello. May I ask your help?..  
 
I want to install 4 baseboard heaters.. 750w, 750w, 1000w and 1000w.. (Total 3500w)..  
 
I will use a 2 pole 20 amp breaker and 12/2 wire for this job.. so I made 2 diagrams (option1 and option2)  
 
Which option(among 2) is better way that can be accepted by CODE?.. Please let me know.. Thanks  
 
(4 each baseboard heaters have thermostat by themselves - built in thermostat)  
 
Edited by Brian7, 2020-02-19 13:40:54

I am not a journeyman electrician but I do know the basics. I believe option 2 would not be allowed by code as you have 5 wires connecting in one junction box. For that reason I would say option 1 which has at most 3 in one box. Now with that being said, the length of your wire runs should be considered when sizing them, this I wont comment on but you should get someone to confirm your wiring size is adequate based on your run length.  
 
Edited by dougydougdoug, 2020-02-19 16:06:03

I will get someone to confirm my wiring size is adequate based on my run length.. Thanks again.. By the way, This is just curious.. 4 wires in junction box is allowed by CODE?.. (You said that 5 wires in junction box is not allowed by code)

Option 2 is not against code. There is no rule about 5 wires not being allowed in any junction box. There is a rule on how many wires are allowed in a certain size box. If you want to connect more wires you need a bigger box.  
 
As for the original question I don’t see a problem with either way as far as code. If you have a permit you would have to submit a drawing of your plan. Hydro will give you advice if you need it.

Thanks for good informations.. I can get a lot of help from you..

Both options are ok. Just an FYI the built in thermostats aren’t great, you’d be better off with a wall stat.  
 
Are these heaters in the same rooms at all, or 4 different rooms? I’d be more inclined to daisy chain them and get rid of the junction box.  
Assuming they are in 4 different rooms, I personally would install deep outlet boxes for a wall thermostat in each room, and run 12/2 from panel and chain through each one. Then each stat feeds the heater in its room.

Hello. Some guy.. You seems to be a professional about this or You seems to have a lot of experiences.. Thease heaters will be in 4 different room.. Thanks for your great advice..  
 
Yes, Built in thermostat seems to be not so good like wall stat in many cases.. Did you mean as below? (daisy chain).. Do I understand of your advice correctly??

The only thing you want downstream from the wall thermostat is the load the thermostat is regulating.  
 
Daisy chain the thermostats, then feed each heater from each thermostat. Or if you don't go with the wall thermostats, then you just daisy chain the heaters. But I agree that the wall thermostat is much nicer.

That diagram will not work. As Tre said, you chain all 4 thermostats, and then each thermostat feeds a heater individually. Each thermostat will have 3 12/2 wires in it, except for the last one which will only have 2.  
I think you should call an electrician, even if you just pay one for their time to come and show you how it can be done. Heating circuits aren’t something to mess with if you aren’t sure how to do it. Also complicating the situation is the fact that there are multiple ways to go about a job like this, depending on location and state of the walls, accessibility, etc. Again, an electrician would be able to determine the best solution for your particular case.

Thanks for your helpful replies (Tre and Some_guy).. I will ask a help from electrician.. But I did understand your talking as below.. Thanks.. Your answer were very helpful for me..  
 
Edited by Brian7, 2020-02-20 06:20:12

I don’t think 20 amps is enough for all those heaters.

My understanding is that Current draw (amps is equal to Wattage divided by Volts) which comes out in this scenario as approx 33. so you may have tun off two breakers.  
Personally I would pay a qualified electrician to put in the wiring and rest safe in the knowledge that it will be right.  
If there is a fire later and the wiring was not done by a qualified electrician it could render your insurance invalid. For the extra expense it could save a lot over time and possibly even lives.

You should for sure hire an electrician to do any electrical work.  
 
Firstly it’s a 240 volt circuit. 20 amp is the correct breaker.  
 
Second homeowners can legally self wire their home. If they have a permit. Getting a permit means hydro will check breaker wire size and proposed layout to ensure it is safe and meets code. Then inspect when it’s done.

I just had Figol electric work on my baseboard heaters. They did a great job and were fast. Definitely worth spending a few dollars to have it done right.

240 volts =total load =16.8 amps  
208 volts=total load= 14.6 amps  
make sure you consult an electrician before any work is done !!

You have them backwards. It’s significant, because a circuit can only be loaded to 80% capacity, so a 20 amp breaker is rated for a load of 16 Amps.  
There are rules for heating circuits that require different calculations, but it’s been too long since I dealt with them. I believe they are a bit more lenient because it is unlikely that all 4 loads in this case would be drawing at the same time.  
In the end, I think doing your own electrical work is great - if you know how. Asking for a few tips to point you in the direction is a great idea, but I firmly believe if you need to be walked through it, you likely shouldn’t be doing it.  
 
Not necessarily saying you need walked through it, OP, just my thoughts in general. It is truly an area where knowing a little bit can make you dangerous.

I am a journeyman electrician. Your breaker size is correct. Your wire size is correct. Both of your drawings will work just fine however I would not do it either of those ways. You don’t need a junction box you can just run your 12/2 cable from one heater to the next and make your connections as you go. Or if you’re using wall stats make your connections in the thermostat box and run an individual cable from each thermostat to the heater it is controlling. You’ll want to use deeper boxes than a standard 2104 box if you’re going to do that though.

What a lots of helpful answers.. Thanks.. Guys.. I got a great informations from Tre86, Some_guy, Woody94 and PowPow ( jouneyman electrician).. really really thank you so much.. because I can get a knowledge about installing baseboard heater and self-wiring permit.. Thank you.. Thank you.. Thank you.. Great and Handsome guys who must have good personality...