I need to install a new water heater - (Stiebel Eltron DHC 10-2 Electric Tankless Water Heater) for the use of a few commercial kitchen sinks. I am in an electrical supply of 208v 3phase panel. The required breaker according to the specs of this heater is 40amps and the breakers on this panel are bolt on breakers, unfortunately that breaker costs $60 at the local electrical supply (wow! ) I have plenty of open slots in the panel and currently have 2-20 amp breakers on hand. Can I run my 8-3 wire and instead of going to a 40Amp 2 pole breaker go to 2 - 20 amp single pole breakers? So my thoughts are to take the red and black to it's own single pole 20 Amp breaker - instead of taking the red and black to a 2 pole 40amp breaker. First- will this work? I do not want to tripping the breakers all the time, and second if it can be done is it OK by the code to do it? Thanks allot for your help!

If you connect a unit that needs a 40 amp breaker to a 20 amp breaker, the 20 amp breaker will trip. You need the bolt in 2 pole 40 amp breaker.

Well, if $60 is considered expensive, then me telling you that you only option should be to call an electrician, since this is a commercial job, will not hold much water, will it?


BTW, how much was the water heater?

I guess a 40 amp breaker is the only option. Thank You again for your assistance.

I know I am being petty on the $60 bucks- but I am on a shoe string budget and it all adds up. I paid an electrician to pull the permit and I am doing all the work. I was trying to save a buck. BTW the water heater was on sale only $150. So I am ahead on that price. Thanks for the comment!

I would try something like this:
40 AMP 240 VOLT SQUARE D BOLT ON BREAKER | eBay

An electrician pulled the permit buy you are doing the work? Wow... that's wrong on a few levels. First of all you don't quite understand what you are doing. And secondly who gets the blame for a catastrophe?

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Originally Posted by Missouri Bound

An electrician pulled the permit buy you are doing the work? Wow...that's wrong on a few levels. First of all you don't quite understand what you are doing. And secondly who gets the blame for a catastrophe?

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All very valid points.

Over the years I have a few folks ask me to cover their work. Every one was a resounding NO.
Any electrician who rents his license and insurance out like that is a FOOL. Especially if it is to someone who really does not know what they are doing.