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    ron d plumber's Avatar
    ron d plumber Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Nov 7, 2007, 05:31 PM
    Electric baseboard heater t-stats
    When wiring a thermostat to baseboard heater how do I know when to use a single or double pole t-stat and what size amps?
    Washington1's Avatar
    Washington1 Posts: 798, Reputation: 36
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    #2

    Nov 7, 2007, 09:36 PM
    The nameplate information from your baseboard heater should tell you.

    How many heaters are you serving?
    rtw_travel's Avatar
    rtw_travel Posts: 347, Reputation: 36
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    #3

    Nov 7, 2007, 10:16 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by ron d plumber
    when wiring a thermostat to baseboard heater how do I know when to use a single or double pole t-stat and what size amps?
    It depends how it is wired. If the power goes to the heater first, with a second wire from the heater to the thermostat, then use a single pole thermostat. If the power goes to the thermostat first, then you should use a double pole thermostat.

    Thermostats and heaters are normally rated in watts not amps.
    watts = voltage * amps where voltage is 120 or 240 depending on the circuit.
    Washington1's Avatar
    Washington1 Posts: 798, Reputation: 36
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    #4

    Nov 7, 2007, 10:23 PM
    Rtw is correct, if you can trust the installer of both the wiring, and the baseboard.

    It's best to check the baseboard--who's to say it was wired correctly?

    Then once you get the baseboard information, we can start looking at the wiring.
    labman's Avatar
    labman Posts: 10,580, Reputation: 551
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    #5

    Nov 11, 2007, 04:01 PM
    On a 240 volt heater is is always best to use a double pole thermostat. If only 120 volts, no need to switch the neutral. If the heaters are already wired up with the feed going to the heaters and a switch loop, you have no choice but to use a single pole thermostat, leaving all the wiring hot even with it off. If you are wiring a 240 volt one up, run the feed to a double pole thermostat and then to the heaters.

    Look for one that will switch more than the total of your heaters. One short cut would be to match the thermostat to the breaker feeding it. If it is 20 amps, then a thermostat that can switch 20 amps is fine.
    Washington1's Avatar
    Washington1 Posts: 798, Reputation: 36
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    #6

    Nov 11, 2007, 10:16 PM
    One short cut would be to match the thermostat to the breaker feeding it. If it is 20 amps, then a thermostat that can switch 20 amps is fine.
    PLease explain?
    Washington1's Avatar
    Washington1 Posts: 798, Reputation: 36
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    #7

    Nov 11, 2007, 10:38 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by ron d plumber
    when wiring a thermostat to baseboard heater how do I know when to use a single or double pole t-stat and what size amps?
    Lets take a look at the question.

    1.Which t-stat should I use (single or double)

    2.What size breaker

    Here's the answer:

    1. Based on the information we have, we do not know. Based on assumption. See the above answers

    2. Same thing as answer #1
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