Tips for Water Heater Circuits

Everyone enjoys a nice warm shower or bath and we all take hot water for granted when we shave or wash our dishes. In most parts of the modern world, a good electric water heater is an indispensable item. However, if a water heater is wired improperly or installed on a circuit that can’t handle the load, it can be dangerous. A water heater is also filled with water under pressure and is powered by electricity and as we all know, water and electricity do no mix. If something goes wrong with the water heater, it can become a life-threatening situation. Also, if installed improperly, the pressure inside the water heater can turn it into a big bomb essentially, waiting to damage your home and cause injuries. Knowing all this, it is easy to understand why having your water heater wired properly and installed correctly is very important.

House voltage in Australia is normally between 220v and 240v and the electrical wiring and main breaker for the water heater should be about 30 amps, or more depending on the requirements of the heater you select. Some Water heaters may use more and some may use less but the circuit that supports the water heater should normally be rated at about 30 amps. This will insure that you can install most types of home water heaters and not surpass the rating of the circuit. You don’t want to install a circuit that can support exactly the maximum requirement of the water heater. You want the circuit to be rated higher than the water heater so there is no chance it may overload. Most smaller items that are used near water need to be plugged into outlets that have ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) otherwise known as residual current devices (RCD). An RCD safety switch must be installed with your hot water-heater to keep it safe incase somehow the electrical components contact the water. An RCD will interrupt the power and protect the people using the water if something goes wrong.

What we have been talking about so far applies to people building new houses or installing a water heater in a home that doesn’t have a heater already installed. However, if you own a home that already has a waterheater installed, you have to deal with the wiring the home already has. If your home was previously equipped with a gas water heater, the existing circuit and breaker may not be able to handle the amp requirements of a new electric water heater. Also, if your home is an older one, it may not have the proper type of breaker and RCD installed either. So, when installing a new waterheater, especially when the old one and the new one are totally different types, it is important that the entire circuit be evaluated and upgraded if necessary by a professional installer to be sure that the people using the hot water are safe and that the circuits are not overloaded. Hiring a professional electrician who is experienced in these upgrades and is certified and licensed is to handle the upgrades is the best option.

Installing and replacing a heater can be a fairly simple task for some and a horrible nightmare for many others. You may find that your best solution is to seek out professional help to make sure your  heater is installed correctly, and operates safely.