I am installing baseboard heaters in my basement and have a couple questions. I'v read answers to other questions here and still not clear to me. 1) My thermostat is labeld L1 - L2 and T1 - T2, which ones are for my power coming in and which are back out to the heater or does it make a difference? 2) I'm using a 20 amp, 240 v , #12 wire. How many watts total of heater can I run on one circuit, I've been told on here that it would be 3840 watts max but have read other answers by the same person to similar questions where they are running 5500 watts on one circuit, how do I know what to believe? Thanks for any help I get here.

SN

Just check the instructions. You'll see that L1&2 are the line in and T1&2 are the load wires.
With these thermostats red is usually line and black is usually the load.

3840 watt is the correct answer for a 20a/240v circuit. NOT 5500 watts.

Electric heat MUST be figured at 80% of the circuit.
A 20A circuit is capable of supplying 4800 watts (240 x 20).
4800 x 80% = 3840 watts.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by stanfortyman

Just check the instructions. You'll see that L1&2 are the line in and T1&2 are the load wires.
With these thermostats red is usually line and black is usually.

3840 watt is the correct answer for a 20a/240v circuit. NOT 5500 watts.

Electric heat MUST be figured at 80% of the circuit.
A 20A circuit is capable of supplying 4800 watts (240 x 20).
4800 x 80% = 3840 watts.

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I agree!:D

OK that clears up my questions, thanks for the help.