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    missfittsx's Avatar
    missfittsx Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jul 31, 2012, 05:08 AM
    baseboard electric thermostats
    I am wiring 3 baseboard heaters 2 1500w in series attached to one thermostat and 1 1500w heater on the other thermostat. I was planning on having them all on the same 30amp circuit but the thermostats (digital programmable) are rated for 16.x amps. Is it OK to have the thermostats on a 30amp circuit? They would not have 30amps going across normally them but if something went bad I suppose they could.
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #2

    Jul 31, 2012, 06:37 AM
    That is fine. The thermostats need to be rated for what they are controlling.
    The 3000 watt load is only 12.5A.
    missfittsx's Avatar
    missfittsx Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Jul 31, 2012, 08:30 AM
    Just seems like if a heater went bad and started drawing a much larger current the thermostat would not be able to handle the current draw and the breaker would not trip.
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
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    #4

    Jul 31, 2012, 08:44 AM
    How can a heater go bad and draw more current?
    missfittsx's Avatar
    missfittsx Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Jul 31, 2012, 08:52 AM
    Not sure how it would since its already getting its heat from resistance. Speaking more hypothetical. Appreciate your help...
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
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    #6

    Jul 31, 2012, 08:53 AM
    Well, if there is a problem like an element shorting out the fault current will definitely trip the breaker.
    Nothing can really cause the heater to draw more than it's rating for very long of a time.
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