How to hookup and fuse electric heaters on a 220-volt circuit?

Question

I am wondering how to hookup and fuse electric heaters on a 220-volt circuit? We currently have a 12-gauge wire where both the white wire and the black wire are connected to the live (hot) feed from the 220 volt breaker at the breaker panel. We are wondering whether or not there are 2 return (neutral) wires returning to the breaker panel, or maybe these aren't necessary somehow. It is not obvious to us at the moment.

Thanks for any advice on this.

Answer 1

Each of those wires has 120V AC on it but 180 degrees out of phase with each other giving you 240V AC across the black and white wires.  You do not need a neutral in that case but the ground wire is essential for safety.  You are probably connected with a standard 12-2 w/gnd cable and there is nothing wrong with that.  It is the same way the oven elements work in your range.  The exception is there is a neutral wired to the range to give you 120V for the stove top elements and clock, lights, etc.

Answer 2

2 # 12 cable, ( that required for the heater), will  come

with Black & White insulated wires and a bare ground.

A 240V. heater needs two Line wires and a ground.

When used for 240 V. circuits the white wire is NOT

a Neutral.

(When you hook it up, mark it at both ends and at

any boxes or splices in the circuit.

-  A red "Sharpie" marker is fine for this.)

Each wire is connected to one pole of the

2 pole breaker for the circuit.

Use no larger than 20A. breakers for #12 wire.

Feed no larger than 3800W. heaters with # 12 wire.

Answer 3

It sounds lik you want to die soon. The wiring must be incorrect get an electrician before you fry

Answer 4

In a single phase 220 residential circuit you will have 2 hot leads (L1 and L2) that will come from the 2 pole breaker at the panel, and then you will have 1 common that will return.  Make sure that the breaker is the correct size (not too small, but just as important not bigger then the max allowed by the heater, it should be stamped on the name plate on the unit).

Answer 5

Many 220 V appliances do not require a neutral.  Your adding "fuse" to the question makes me nervous that you may not be protecting yourself properly.  Twelve gauge wire is nominally rated to carry 20 amp.  You need to make certain your device(s) are not requiring more than that.  Current codes DO require grounding of the device with a conductor back to the panel.