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Don · Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 5 Location: usa

Is it possible to use a single pole thermostat switch (2 wires - line/load) to operate a 220volt base board electric heater?

Thanks, Don

vince knight · Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 3:44 pm Post subject:

As long as the contacts are rated high enough for the load, then yes.

Vince

Don · Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 5 Location: usa

Great - the power is run to the unit and the thermostat will be on the other side of the room - what should I run for wire to the thermostat and exactly how would I wire this? Do you switch the neutral?

Don

vince knight · Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 3:56 pm Post subject:

Use a 3 core cable capable of taking the load, disconect the live wire from the heater and route this to the input of the stat. Then from the switched side of the stat back to the input of the heater. The 3rd wire is for the ground connection.

Vince

Don · Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 5 Location: usa

Vince - that is how I would wire any normal switch at 110 volts - but with 2 hot leads at the heater what do I do? do these leads get twisted together with the line conductor that goes to the switch?

vince knight · Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 5:25 pm Post subject:

disconnect the hot cable from the heater and join to the new cable to the stat hot input.
return from stat to hot input of heater.

vince Smile

Don · Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 5 Location: usa

If I am understanding you properly, I am to run the hot line to the thermostat on 1 conductor and then back from the thermostat to the heater on the other conductor. But there are two hot legs at the heater, don't they both need to be switched? Thanks...

vince knight · Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 8:15 pm Post subject:

Why are there 2 hot les at the heater, is it switched from more than 1 place already?

Vince

b · Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 10:06 pm Post subject:

110/220 here in the states. don has a 2 conductor circuit. do not switch the nuetral. you should use a 2 pole switch specifically for what you are doing. there should be instructions inside the thermo-switch you purchase. keep warm!
b

vince knight · Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 10:12 pm Post subject:

Thanks for clearing that one up mate.

Vince
(Every day is a school day) Embarassed

Don · Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 5 Location: usa

Here in lies the rub - I purchased a thermostat that claimed on the package that it could be used for 110 or 220 - however, when I opened the package, it is a single pole switch (2 leads - one load, one line) - the directions have gone missing during the construction process. Not my doing...

Any creative suggestions?

Thanks

b · Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 12:38 pm Post subject:

don...
go back to the store where you purchased the thermostat and have them copy the directions from a like stat. without seeing the stat i am hesitant to tell you how to wire it. sounds like if there are only 1 line and 1 load on the stat it is for 110 and not 220. sometimes there is a piece of metal that can be broken out to accomodate the 220. still think best bet is to have store photocopy directions from a new like stat. sorry to not solve any better for you. let me know how you do.
b