I have a sub-panel, with currently only a single conventional water heater connected (4500 watt non-simultaneous). The sub-panel is protected by a 50amp double-pole breaker in the main panel, wired with 6ga Romex. The water heater is wired with 10ga Romex, protected by a 30amp breaker in the sub-panel. So far, so good. However, I want to add a 5700 watt tankless water heater to the sub-panel; it also requires a 30amp breaker (and 10ga wire). Is this ok ? All wiring is sufficient to the size breaker protecting it, so it should be safe. And we know it's ok for breakers in a panel to sum up to more than the main breaker for that panel (e.g. all the breakers in a main panel typically far exceed the panel's overall rating). But the total wattage (should the tankless be activated while the main one is heating) would be 10.2kw, or 42.5 amps at 240v. That seems to be cutting it close for the 50amp breaker protecting the main panel, so I'm wondering if I'm likely to see it trip. Also don't want to violate code, even though this work will not be inspected.
asked Aug 8, 2016 at 19:52
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It'd be swell to have a relay in the sub-panel that temporarily interrupts power to the storage water heater when the tankless kicks in, but I doubt that's an off-the-shelf solution).– RustyShacklefordAug 8, 2016 at 19:53
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I really wish I could find a relay like that.– Harper - Reinstate MonicaAug 8, 2016 at 22:42
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Well, it's easy to find a normally-closed (or double-throw) relay that can handle the current and has a coil activated by 240v. I'd just have to somehow pick off the 240v from the tankless one to flip the relay to disconnect the storage one. Probably not too code-kosher. I used a similar relay, but with a 12v coil, to build my own water-heater timer. automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Relays_-z-_Timers/…– RustyShacklefordAug 9, 2016 at 6:25
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1 Answer
Go ahead and put both loads on the same subpanel -- you don't need a relay for this, as the tankless heater isn't a continuous load (i.e. I can think of no situation where the domestic hot water should be running in a house for 3 hours straight!).
(The feeder calculations are as per 215.2(A)(1)(a) -- 125% of the 4500W storage heater is 5625W + the 5700W tankless heater yields 11325W, which is 47A@240VAC.)
answered Aug 8, 2016 at 22:52
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Oh thanks, that's a part of the NEC I wasn't familiar with yet - I guess I could go up to 6375 watts on the tankless unit then. Anyhow, I can't imagine even the storage heater running for 3 straight hours (I think it takes not much more than an hour to fully reheat from completely cold); but I guess it IS considered "continuous", since otherwise a 30amp breaker wouldn't be recommended for a 4500watt unit. Aug 9, 2016 at 4:11