I want to install an Intermatic ET173C to serve an existing 240 volt water heater. I do not see where to land the white neutral wire -- does it go to ground along with the bare ground wire??
I checked the wiring at the heater, and the white neutral goes to the ground, along with the bare ground -- is that correct?
Thanks for any help!

WHAT neutral?? There is (should be) NO neutral on this straight 240v circuit.
DO NOT tie ANY neutral together with ANY grounds!!

New at using this site. Not sure I am tagged onto the thread.

Stanfortyman --
You got my attention! That is surely good! So, I just land the red and the black, the bare ground to the grounding screw, and do not land the white neutral?

Just cap off the neutral on both ends.

A house in the USA gets two 120 volt phases, the 120 volts is measured between the hot and neutral. Neutral should ONLY tie to ground in the breaker box in one place.

The 240 volts comes from the voltage between two 120 volt lines out of phase, thus the two hot lines.

The romex cable might have a white wire as if it were neutral, but if you tested voltage between them, and you get 220-240 volts, then they are BOTH hot.

Old thread.