How To Wire An Electric Furnace?

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You have bought an electric furnace and would like to wire it properly and safely. A proper wiring will not only guarantee the safety of the furnace but also efficient operation.

Wiring an electric furnace is not as easy as wiring other electric fixtures such as lighting systems. This is because a typical furnace encompasses an array of components such as a blower motor, heating elements, thermostats, etc.

The wiring process is all about connecting the furnace and all its components to the main power supply. The wiring should be done neatly and in an organized way.

Keep reading as we discuss everything about wiring an electric furnace.

Step 1: Turn off the power supply

This is the first step that you should take when undertaking any wiring project. It is all about safety and you will turn it off to prevent incidences of electric shock or even fire.

To do this, locate the electrical panel board as it usually houses the building’s main switch. The panel board is usually located at strategic locations in the building.

It is also at this stage of the process that you should get the necessary safety gear that you will use for wiring the furnace.

Step 2: Analyze the voltage requirements of the furnace and the circuit breaker

A critical step of the wiring process entails connecting the furnace to the circuit breaker. To do so, you will have to know the voltage requirements of the furnace and that of the circuit breaker.

Most electrical panels have voltage ratings of between 220V and 220 volts. You will rarely find one rated 120 volts even though they exist. You simply need to check on the manufacturer’s manual or the nameplate of the furnace to know the exact voltage rating of the furnace.

Once you know the voltage of the furnace, turn your focus on the circuit breaker. The two should match because a circuit breaker is designed to trip in case the electric current passing through a particular circuit exceeds a specific requirement.

Other than the circuit breaker, you should also pay attention to the size of the wire as it should match the voltage rating of the circuit.

So, what is the best wire size for the electric panel? It is recommended that you should go for a 4-gauge copper for your furnace. It is a perfect size that will allow current to flow through without overheating or leaking.

Still, on the issue of the wire size, you should also pay attention to the distance between the voltage source and the furnace. This is vital as it will help you determine the expected voltage drop. Keep in mind that the voltage drop in a circuit is directly proportional to the distance from the source. The farther the furnace is from the source, the more the voltage drop. To alleviate this, you should be careful with the size and quality of wire that you use for wiring the furnace.

Step 3: Connect the furnace to the junction box

Now that you know the required technical parameters of the diode and you are sure that the furnace meets them, you can proceed with carrying out the necessary connections.

In this step you will install a junction box next to the furnace. The main function of a junction box is to provide an enclosure which will protect the cables from effects of heat generated by the furnace. It also provides a shield against electric shock.

Ensure that the junction box is selected at a strategic place in the building and it should be well-secured.

You will also have to install a flexible metal conduit (FMC) at the points between the junction box and the electrical panel. The purpose of the conduit is to protect the wire and also improve the organization of the wiring.

Step 4: Connecting the wires

In the previous step, we connected the wires from the breaker panel to the junction box. In this step, it will be from the junction box to the furnace.

You will definitely need connectors for completing this connection. I also assume that you have a wiring diagram specifically for the electrical furnace so you should have no problem when it comes to matching the wires using their color codes.

In most wiring projects, the red and black wires are considered the current-carrying wires while the black wires are the neutral wires.

Connect the wires to their respective terminals on the furnace.

At this point, the wires should be well connected to both the junction box and the electric furnace. Again, check the electric wiring diagram to confirm that everything has been done perfectly.

You can keep the wires stable with the help of cable clamps. They are designed to minimize any movements of the wires after you are  done with wiring.

Step 5: Incorporate other components and accessories

Electric furnaces usually work with other components and one of them is the thermostat. Now that your furnace is wired to the power source, you can proceed to connect it to a thermostat.

Executing this connection is pretty easy. Modern electric furnaces have terminals onto which you will connect with the thermostat. Ensure that each wire goes to its respective terminal.

A wiring diagram will come in handy in ensuring that you implement the connection perfectly.

After ensuring that the thermostat is perfectly connected, you can go ahead and test the unit.  Set the thermostat to a particular temperature then turn on the furnace.

Conclusion

As you can see, wiring an electric furnace is not difficult. With the basics of wiring, you will be able to do the job and end up with a fully functional furnace.

You only need to take all the appropriate safety measures to prevent risks of injury or even damage to the furnace and other electronic components in the circuit.

However, if you are not sure of what to do and how to do it at any stage of furnace wiring, it is advisable to consult professional electricians.

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