Replies

1. 
   fredsmart48 | Sep 04, 2003 12:34am | #1

   So if you know the watts and the voltage to find the amps you dived the watts by volts you get amps needed to operate the device.

   So if you know the watts the device calls or lets say it is 1300 watts and it operates on 240 volts.

   what you do is dived the 1300w by 240v you need 5.4 amp. to make it work right. Now you need to know the distance from the device to the service box so you can figure the size of the wire you need to keep the voltage from dropping

   To the calculate wire size try this on line calculators like this one

   http://www.elec-toolbox.com/calculators/voltdrop.htm

2. 
   BillHartmann | Sep 04, 2003 12:39am | #2

   As you said most heaters are 240 because of the wattage and it keeps the load on the pannel balanced.

   But if the size of heater that is need is available in 120 then you can use that. But the wiring has to be bigger for the same wattage (or BTU outputs).

   W = V*I (power, watts - voltage x current)

   "Can I use these with 12 guage wire?"

   Maybe, that depends on the current rating of the particular unit. Might be able to use #14, might need #10 or even bigger.