Skip to Content

What Size Breaker Do You Need for a 50 Gallon Water Heater?

Are you looking to buy a 50 gallon water heater but aren’t sure what size breaker to use? Don’t worry – we have you covered.

You will learn all there is to know about size breakers, including the different types and applications. No matter what size of breaker you need, we have it.

What size breaker do you need for a 50 gallon water heater?

A 50 gallon water heater requires a circuit breaker rated at 30 amps. 30 amps will work perfectly well in 120 and 240-volt systems. The breaker size determines the size of the hoses and fittings required to connect your new water heater to the existing water lines.

A 30 amp breaker is needed for a 50 gallon water heater. To replace an old 50 gallon water heater with a new one, you should buy a breaker with less than 30 amps.

Usually, it’s not a big deal to go from 15 amps to 30 or more because most modern water heaters come with standard and quick disconnect 40 amp feeds. You can use that with either system.

Breaker size for 50 gallon electric water heater:

A 30 amp breaker is the best choice for a 50 gallon electric water heater. The water heater circuit consists of two conductors, one of which is grounded and a 30 amp circuit breaker. In most cases, You can use 25 amps instead of 30 amps.

How to determine the circuit breaker and wire size correctly for a water heater?

You will need the correct size circuit breaker to install a new water heater and connect it to the existing electrical system.

Most common size:

The most common residential breaker sizes are 20 amp, 30 amp, and 40 amp.

Depending on the manufacturer, there may be differences in specific areas, but these are the most common types used. The term “amp” refers to amperes (A), one-millionth of a volt.

Finding the breaker:

You will need to measure the electrical circuit to determine your home’s proper breaker and wire size. This is simple to accomplish by following these simple steps. Locate an outlet near where you intend to install the new water heater.

Then Unplug all devices connected to that outlet (and any other outlets in your house). After that, measure the distance from one end of the outlet to the other.

This will determine the length of your electrical circuit. Measure the distance between one end of that circuit and the breaker panel near your water heater (on a wall or ceiling).

Breaker size calculation:

To figure out the right breaker size, you’ll need to do some math. You can do that here. There is a way to figure out how many amps the breaker can handle. That is-

Circuit Size(amps)= Wattage/Voltage

Here, wattage is the amount of current the water heater uses, and voltage is the type of volt you are using to run the water heater.

In the United States, most people use 120 volts. Suppose you have a 50 gallon water heater with 4500 watts and 120 volts. So the size of your breaker should be like this:

Circuit Size(amps)= Wattage/Voltage

=4500/120

=37.5

It is generally better to use a smaller size than the calculated number. So you can use a circuit breaker that can handle 35 or 30 amps in a water heater with 4500 watts of power.

Why should circuit breakers be the correct size?

For each electrical circuit, it’s essential to use the correct size breaker. This way, there won’t be a power cut.

It could be hard for a more miniature breaker to handle the extra load caused by an additional appliance or device being plugged into the same circuit. It’s always essential to use the correct size circuit breaker.

Stop overload:

When using a circuit breaker, the electricity never flows from one end of the breaker to another.

This means that if there is too much current flowing through a specific part of the electrical wiring. It will trip or overload your Circuit Breaker before it can damage any property or equipment.

Make home electrical systems safe:

You may do more harm than good if you try to replace a Circuit Breaker with the wrong size. This could damage your home’s wiring and electrical systems. When you want to change or upgrade the breakers in your home, always get help from a professional.

You may do more harm than good if you try to replace a Circuit Breaker with the wrong size.

Protect people and property:

Circuit breakers are designed to cut off the flow of electricity immediately if there is an accidental short circuit or overload in your electrical system. This will help to prevent any potential injuries and damage to property.

Prevent common electrical problems:

When you know the size of your circuit breaker, you can take preventative measures against common electrical problems such as flickering lights or blown fuses. This will help to keep your home running smoothly and safely.

How many amps does a 50 gallon water heater use?

A 50-gallon water heater typically consumes 4500 watts. If you use this water heater at 120 volts, it will draw 37.5 amps.

However, if you use the same water heater at 240 volts, it will draw 18.75 amps. When a breaker trips, it does not always indicate a problem with the electrical wiring.

The breaker may have tripped because of a difference in the current draw between the two appliances. The number of amps used by a water heater is determined by several factors, including the type of water heater, size of the water heater, and usage pattern.

Does a 50 gallon water heater need its own breaker?

A 50-gallon water heater requires its own circuit breaker. This is because a 50 gallon water heater consumes 4500 watts of current, more than most other appliances in your home.

If you have a 50 gallon water heater, make sure it is plugged into an outlet with a proper breaker. If you don’t have a spare breaker, hire an electrician to install one for you.

In an emergency, a breaker is a switch that You can use to cut power to critical equipment. In a power outage, having a breaker installed will allow you to easily and quickly restore power to your water heater.

What size wire do I need for a 50 gallon water heater?

If you have a 50 gallon water heater that runs on 120 volts, you will need 12 gauge wire. You will need 14 gauge wire if you use a 50 gallon water heater with 240 volts.

It is critical to use the correct wire size for your water heater. This ensures that the electrical current passing through the wire is sufficient and safe.

Using too small a wire can cause overheating, sparking, and fire. Using a wire that is too large can also cause damage to the water heater or other nearby equipment.

However, some 50-gallon models may use up to 37 amps. 14 gauge wire may be too thick in these cases, causing insulation failure.

You may need to use 12 or 10-gauge wire instead in this case. For more information on the correct wire size for your model, consult the owner’s manual for your water heater.

Final Thoughts

A 50 gallon water heater requires a 30 amp breaker. A three-phase breaker is needed for a 50 gallon water heater. Using the proper breaker size can help you save money on your electrical appliances. Utilize the formula to determine the appropriate size breaker: wattage/voltage