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Problem with electric baseboard heat...?

We have electric baseboard heat, over the last few months we have been replacing the old thermostats. When we remove the existing thermostat we are finding 6 wires in the wall, 2 black, 2 red and 2 white. However, the electric thermostats only have 4 wires, 2 black and 2 red. I am concerned about malfunction even though the heaters are working. I also cannot find anything online about thermostats for lectric heat with 6 wires. Does anyone know anything about why there are 6 instead of 4 and if the heaters are working, thermostats turning on and off at temp if there is still any danger??

Update:

These are line voltage thermostats, thick heavy wire no heat pump or a/c involved. Home built late 60's early 70's

2 Answers

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  • jekin
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    I assume you are talking about line voltage thermostats. Those are common in baseboard heaters. If so, the wires will be about the size of pencil leads.

    The white wires are supposed to be grounded. The voltage from black to red is supposed to be 230 from red or black to white is 117. There may have been provisions for two stage heating. 115 v 0r 230v Just tie the white wires together and use the black and red wires. The white wires may have been to make indicator light work. It may just be that the electrician used three conductor cable which comes red, black, and white. Now there is a bare ground wire in addition. The white wire may have been to ground the system, no bare wire. whatever, just wire nut the white wires together. The other answerer is assuming the wires are smaller and low voltage control wires which will be about 24v. and real small.

  • ?
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    in spite of you prefer to do, be careful!!!!!!!! each and every baseboard heater i've got ever labored on grow to be on a 220 Volt circuit. each and every might desire to be on a circuit of it extremely is very own. If the breakers are marked, then you are able to turn each and every off in turn, and consider the wiring in the back of the thermostat. If it extremely is all intact, and you at the instant are not genuine stable with electrical energy, you may desire to call a repairman. it extremely is low fee than a decision to the ambulance considering the fact which you acquire knocked out by potential of the voltage.

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