[tubes]

Hi all,

Great forum, lurked for a while and have a question that my work peers have different opinions on and I'd like to get yours.

I'm wiring up heated floors to a 240v supplied thermostat. 6 separate cables @ 560w each giving a current draw of 14a.

Code states that all electric heated floors must have a GFCI in the circuit. My thermostat is an older one that does not have one built in so I either have to get a new thermostat or put a GFCI breaker in my main panel.

Turns out I have a 30a GFCI (5ma) breaker, originally for a hot tub, that is unused. I'm looking for your thoughts on using this 30a GFCI breaker for a circuit that should draw no more than 14a.

I've been told this should pass when inspected and if there are any issues it will trip the GFCI. It's an older (45+ years) Federal main panel which some people said that the don't trip easily, even if I used a 20a GFCI breaker.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Big John]

Nevermind, I can't read, apparently.

 

[Haxwoper]

What size is the wire?


As for the panel, replace it. Good money :thumbsup:

 

[oldtimer]

Hi all,

Great forum, lurked for a while and have a question that my work peers have different opinions on and I'd like to get yours.

I'm wiring up heated floors to a 240v supplied thermostat. 6 separate cables @ 560w each giving a current draw of 14a.

Code states that all electric heated floors must have a GFCI in the circuit. My thermostat is an older one that does not have one built in so I either have to get a new thermostat or put a GFCI breaker in my main panel.

Turns out I have a 30a GFCI (5ma) breaker, originally for a hot tub, that is unused. I'm looking for your thoughts on using this 30a GFCI breaker for a circuit that should draw no more than 14a.

I've been told this should pass when inspected and if there are any issues it will trip the GFCI. It's an older (45+ years) Federal main panel which some people said that the don't trip easily, even if I used a 20a GFCI breaker.

Thanks in advance.

Please ! Call an electrician !

 

[Zog]

Hi all,

Great forum, lurked for a while and have a question that my work peers have different opinions on and I'd like to get yours.

I'm wiring up heated floors to a 240v supplied thermostat. 6 separate cables @ 560w each giving a current draw of 14a.

Code states that all electric heated floors must have a GFCI in the circuit. My thermostat is an older one that does not have one built in so I either have to get a new thermostat or put a GFCI breaker in my main panel.

Turns out I have a 30a GFCI (5ma) breaker, originally for a hot tub, that is unused. I'm looking for your thoughts on using this 30a GFCI breaker for a circuit that should draw no more than 14a.

I've been told this should pass when inspected and if there are any issues it will trip the GFCI. It's an older (45+ years) Federal main panel which some people said that the don't trip easily, even if I used a 20a GFCI breaker.

Thanks in advance.

Only an imbalance, like you get from a ground fault, will trip the GFCI. It won't protect from an overload until you get above 30A. So get the right sized breaker.

 

[tubes]

What size is the wire?


As for the panel, replace it. Good money :thumbsup:

10 gauge for first run of 20-30' from the main panel. Last 10-15 feet will be 12gauge, as it's drawing 14a.

Please ! Call an electrician !

I did. Called an independent one and I've spoke with a few at work. :001_huh:

Only an imbalance, like you get from a ground fault, will trip the GFCI. It won't protect from an overload until you get above 30A. So get the right sized breaker.

Is it even be possible to overload the breaker if this is the only circuit on it?


Thanks all.

 

[BBQ]

Is it even be possible to overload the breaker if this is the only circuit on it?

A better question would have been will this 30 amp breaker properly protect the conductors?


No.

 

[oldtimer]

10 gauge for first run of 20-30' from the main panel. Last 10-15 feet will be 12gauge, as it's drawing 14a.



(I did. Called an independent one and I've spoke with a few at work). :001_huh:



Is it even be possible to overload the breaker if this is the only circuit on it?


Thanks all.

So! Why don't you go on the D I Y site ?

You have already made up your mind what you are going to do !

 

[Haxwoper]

10 gauge for first run of 20-30' from the main panel. Last 10-15 feet will be 12gauge, as it's drawing 14a.

My lighting circuit only draws 4 amps, can I protect that #14 wire with a 60 amp breaker?

 

[oldtimer]

my lighting circuit only draws 4 amps, can i protect that #14 wire with a 60 amp breaker?

eggs ackley !!!

 

[Darrinf205]

I think Cletus is even smarter than this clown

 

[oldtimer]

I think Cletus is even smarter than this clown

O K ! Which clown are you referring to ?

:whistling2:

 

[ponyboy]

Cheap, determined, and dumb. The handyman trifecta

 

[BBQ]

Cheap, determined, and dumb. The handyman trifecta

Damn, you almost made another signature. :laughing:

 

[ponyboy]

Damn, you almost made another signature. :laughing:

It's what I do

 

[tubes]

So! Why don't you go on the D I Y site ?

You have already made up your mind what you are going to do !

No, I have not and if a certified journeyman didn't say it would pass code, I wouldn't have posted my question. I will be picking up the proper breaker. Thanks for those who helped without being internet heros.

 

[Meadow]

No, I have not and if a certified journeyman didn't say it would pass code, I wouldn't have posted my question. I will be picking up the proper breaker. Thanks for those who helped without being internet heros.

I know it wont pass code. We are not trying to be internet heros, we just don't want to you to do something that might catch fire.

BTW, I highly recommend a breaker that's non FPE since those GFI versions that have been tested literally fail 60% of the time. The standard ones are a lot better but still iffy.

 

[Meadow]

Is it even be possible to overload the breaker if this is the only circuit on it?


Thanks all.

It will overload should something malfunction down the road. If a heater becomes shorted and draws more current than it will overload without a breaker tripping or tripping fast enough. That 14 guage wire will overheat.

 

[tubes]

I know it wont pass code. We are not trying to be internet heros, we just don't want to you to do something that might catch fire.

BTW, I highly recommend a breaker that's non FPE since those GFI versions that have been tested literally fail 60% of the time. The standard ones are a lot better but still iffy.

Appreciate the reply.

I'll try to get a non-FPE one, but the local price here for a 2p 20a GFCI breaker for the Federal Panel is $300. At that price it would make more sense to get a thermostat with a built in GFCI and use a regular 2p 20a breaker.

Not saying I would do this, but if 10g wire was used all the way from a 30a breaker, what would be the weakest link then? The thermostat which had a max. load rating of 16a?


TY

 

[someonespecial]

Appreciate the reply.

I'll try to get a non-FPE one, but the local price here for a 2p 20a GFCI breaker for the Federal Panel is $300. At that price it would make more sense to get a thermostat with a built in GFCI and use a regular 2p 20a breaker.

Not saying I would do this, but if 10g wire was used all the way from a 30a breaker, what would be the weakest link then? The thermostat which had a max. load rating of 16a?


TY

Probably one of the smaller gauge leads that connect up to the heater elements, much better since those are within a steel heater and not in your wall.