We built our house 30 years ago using electric baseboard heat. This is 240 volt electric heat. We would like to change the original thermostats (Mears M7) to progammable digital themostats. Those that we have looked at indicate two models; single pole and double pole. How would I determine which one I need to use. We are currently looking as Marley TH110SPP and TH110DPP models.

Thank you

WL

With the double pole, the heating elements will be completely disconnected when off. Otherwise, you will have 120 volts on the elements at all times, just waiting for something to touch them. Code may even require the double pole.

Is it possible for a novice to wire this kind of thermostat.

Thanks again

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Originally Posted by Willilam Lawyer

Is it possible for a novice to wire this kind of thermostat.

Thanks again

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Of course, if this novice can flip the breakers before attempting the job. 220VAC is deadly and unforgiving. Make certain there is zero power to the unit before proceeding!

I am not familiar with thermostats for base board heat. The best thing for a novice is to study the existing thermostat, and buy a programmable thermostat that works the same way.

1 Conventional 24 volt thermostat. Has at least 2 small wires connected to it, often a red and white. There will be a transformer somewhere supplying power, and a relay wired to the thermostat, feed wires, and heaters. Any 24 volt programmable thermostat will work, although if only 2 wires run to it, a ''voltage stealing'' thermostat would avoid running another wire from the transformer to the thermostat.

2 Single pole 240 thermostat. Has 2 large, 12 gauge, wires running to it. It may also have another pair of wires bypassing it.

3 Double Pole 240 thermostat. Has 4 large, 12 gauge, wires running to it, all of them connected. There could also be another pair of wires running to the next thermostat with either the single or double pole.

Buy the same type of thermostat, and it is a simple matter of transferring the wires from the old one to the same positions on the new one. And yes, people that carefully shut off all the power live longer than people that don't.

If you are buying locally, you can even remove the old one, take it with you and say you want a programmable one that will work in its place.