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electric heat element amp/breaker?

I need to know what amp. contactor and feed breaker to use if building a powder coat oven using 2800 watt elements.

two elements_______________three elements__________

four elements_______________ all 2800 watt 240 volt each.

I want to heat to and maintain 450 degree.

2 Answers

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    2800*2=5600 Watts /240= 23Amps

    2800*3=8400 Watts /240 = 35 Amps

    2800*4= 11200 Watts /240 = 46 Amps

    So you need a 30 amp braker 2phase if your panel is single phase. Feed it with # 10 wire in a 1/2 in conduit

    Also a 40 amp braker 2 phase. Feed it with #8 in 3/4 conduit

    And finaly a 50 amp braker 2 phase Feed this with # 8 wire in 3/4 conduit.

    Source(s): Electrican
  • Irv S
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    You will draw about 12A. per element at 240 V.

    Depending on how you arrange your controls,

    you should size your contactors for 150% of load,

    (to handle inrush currents), and your main breaker

    for 125% of the total.

    Large tungsten heaters do have an inrush and I

    would recommend you use 'motor rated' contactors.

    (I hope you're not proposing to use water heater elements.

    They would be mis-applied in an air heating application

    without some kind of radiator/heat sink.)

    Source(s): Retired Electrical Consultant
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