Quck answer
To wire multiple baseboard heaters, follow these steps:
1. Determine the total wattage of all the heaters you plan to connect. Make sure your electrical circuit can handle the load.
2. Install a dedicated circuit breaker in your electrical panel for the baseboard heaters.
3. Run a 12-gauge or 10-gauge wire from the circuit breaker to the location of the first heater.
4. Connect the black wire from the circuit breaker to the black wire of the first heater using wire nuts.
5. Connect the white wire from the circuit breaker to the white wire of the first heater using wire nuts.
6. Connect the ground wire from the circuit breaker to the ground wire of the first heater using a wire nut or grounding screw.
7. Repeat steps 3-6 for each additional heater, making sure to connect the wires in the same manner.
8. Install a thermostat for each heater if desired and wire them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
9. Test the circuit to ensure all heaters are working properly before using them.
Remember to always consult a qualified electrician if you are unsure about any aspect of wiring multiple baseboard heaters.
Baseboard heaters are commonly used in rooms that are distant from the main heating source. They are electric heaters that are positioned under windows, where the cold air will mix with the hot air from the heaters and circulate around the room. The heating elements are powered by 120VAC or 240VAC depending on the manufacturer’s specifications. In most cases, multiple baseboard heaters can be connected together as long as the total amperage does not exceed the capacity of the wires and circuit breaker. If the heater is too large, it must be wired separately.
Step 1
Note that only heaters with the same voltage can be connected together. In other words, only 240VAC heaters can be connected to other 240VAC heaters. The same is true for 120VAC units.
Step 2
Calculate the total amperage that the heaters in a room draw. For example, if there are three baseboard heaters rated at 1,500 watts and powered by 240VAC, multiply 1,500 watts by 3 for a total of 4,500 watts. Find the total amperage by dividing the wattage by the voltage (a = w/v). The amperage draw for the three heaters is 18.75 amperes. These three baseboard heaters can be connected to a two-pole 30-amp breaker that is supplying power to the heaters with a two-wire 10-gauge ROMEXВ® cable-type wire.
Step 3
Disconnect all electrical power from the main panel circuit breaker box. Find the large switch labeled as “main” and turn it off. Remove the outer cover by using the screwdriver and pulling the screws that holds the cover in place.
Step 4
Install the new two-pole 30-ampere circuit breaker into the main panel box. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the installation. Different brands of circuit breakers will have different installation instructions.
Step 5
Run the two-wire 10-gauge wire ROMEXВ® from the main panel box to the first of the baseboard heaters. Open one end of the baseboard heater using the screwdriver. There should be a label on one end that reads “wire connection” or “heater connection”.
Step 6
Use a pocketknife to remove the outer insulation of the ROMEXВ® wire for approximately 6 inches. This will reveal a single black insulated wire, a single white insulated wire, and a bare copper wire.
Step 7
Remove the insulation from the single wire using the wire strippers. Reveal approximately 3/4-inch of the bare copper underneath.
Step 8
Run another piece of the two-wire 10-gauge ROMEXВ® from the first heater to the second heater into the same “wire connection” location. Perform the same ROMEXВ® wire installation to the third heater. You should now have a piece of ROMEXВ® wire running between each of the three heaters. Strip all the wires in the same fashion as described in step 6 and 7 above.
Step 9
Connect the wires by twisting them together using the wire pliers. In the first baseboard heater, twist the bare copper ends together of the black wires from the 10 gauge ROMEXВ® to one of the wires leading to the baseboard heating element. Do the same for the white wires from the ROMEXВ® to the other wire leading to the baseboard heating element. Cover the twisted bare wire connections with a wire nut. Connect both bare copper wires from the ROMEXВ® to the green screw on the metal frame of the baseboard heater.
Step 10
Repeat the same wiring process for the second baseboard heater. The third baseboard heater will only have one 10-gauge ROMEXВ®. Connect this wire directly to one of the wires going to the heating element. Make sure that all three heaters have the bare copper wire attached to the green screw on the metal frame of the heater.
Step 11
Remove the insulation from the 10-gauge ROMEXВ® inside the main panel. Attach the black wire to one screw terminal on the two-pole circuit breaker. Connect the white wire to the other screw on the circuit breaker. Secure the bare copper wire to the rear ground bus bar on the side of the main panel box. Several other white wires and bare copper wires will also be attached to this bus bar.
Step 12
Replace the main panel cover over the main panel box. Turn the main breaker switch back on. Switch on the new 30-ampere circuit breaker to power the baseboard heaters. The new heaters should now be heating up.
FAQ
1. Can I connect multiple baseboard heaters to a single thermostat?
Yes, you can connect multiple baseboard heaters to a single thermostat. To do this, you will need to calculate the total wattage of all the heaters and make sure it does not exceed the maximum load capacity of the thermostat. You will also need to wire the heaters in parallel, connecting each heater directly to the thermostat. This will ensure that each heater receives the same amount of voltage and can be controlled by the thermostat.
2. How do I wire multiple baseboard heaters in parallel?
To wire multiple baseboard heaters in parallel, you will need to run a separate 240-volt circuit for each heater from the electrical panel. Each circuit should be protected by its own circuit breaker. Connect the black wires of all the heaters to the black wire from the circuit breaker, and connect the white wires of all the heaters to the white wire from the circuit breaker. Finally, connect the ground wires of all the heaters to the ground wire from the circuit breaker. This will ensure that each heater receives the same amount of voltage and can operate independently.
3. What size wire should I use for wiring multiple baseboard heaters?
The size of the wire you should use for wiring multiple baseboard heaters depends on the total wattage of the heaters and the length of the circuit. As a general rule, you should use 12-gauge wire for circuits up to 20 amps and 10-gauge wire for circuits between 20 and 30 amps. However, it is always best to consult the National Electrical Code (NEC) or a licensed electrician to determine the appropriate wire size for your specific situation. Using the correct wire size will ensure that the heaters receive the proper amount of power and operate safely.