"Burhans" wrote in message
...
What do you mean "Much Less Voltage Drop using a #10 opposed to a #12" ?

If you are not familiar with the concept of voltage drop, you probably
should not be doing your own wiring; it is pretty basic.
http://www.electrician.com/vd_calculator.html
Wire has resistance. If you try to cram too much currant down a too long
wire, the heater will not get all the power it is supposed to get. The
heater will not heat as well, yet you will still be paying for all the
power.
Code allows 3% voltage drop, though that is really meant for things that are
voltage sensitive; which a heater is not. For a heater it is just a matter
of efficiency.

Heaters are usually 240v because it wastes less power for a given size of
wire.

What would be the side affect for Hooking a #12 Wire pulling 16.7 Amps?

The main thing is that the wire would get hot, and possibly start a fire.
Not likely with such a small overload, but when it happens the insurance
company is going to point out that the fire was caused by improper (and
presumably uninspected) wiring. I am not a lawyer, but it seems like
something best avoided.


Could someone please explain "Continuous Load" and why a Hot Water Heater
falls into this catogory.

Would the Hot Water heater always be pulling the full 2000 Watts or does
it only pull 2000 Watts on the highest temp?

The setting affects how long the heater is on. It is always pulling 2000w.
It is like your toaster; it is on or it isn't on; darker toast just takes
longer.

I have no problem running #10 Wire but I just ran #12 for a smaller Hot
Water Heater and needed to return it because it was too small for its
application (Washer/Dryer Room).

Good solution would be to get a 240v heater and use the #12 wire. It is
good for maybe 3500w, yet will have less voltage drop.

Thanks

"toller" wrote in message
...
2000w is 16.7a. Since the circuit cannot carry more than 80% of maximum
capacity, you would need a 21a circuit. Since there is no such thing as
a 21a circuit, you need the next larger size.
Even if you could get by with #12, why would you want to? #10 will give
much less voltage drop and the price isn't all that much different.