Electrical Fuse help.....this Mexico Power..... - Page 2

sctx · 02-04-2005

could it be the thermostat on the heater thats bad, just a thought, if I had enough money, I'd hire electricians to change my freakin light bulbs!

MikeW · 02-04-2005

It really sounds like your water heater is drawing more than 30A. If you oversize the fuse and the wire size and connections are not sized for over 30A, then fire. Try tightening the connections in the fuse box. Again be really freaking careful.

Disclaimer: I am NOT an electrician. Don't kill yourself.

Typical sizing in NEC, for copper THHN or THWN, and some other copper wire.
14 Guage - Max 15A
12 Guage - Max 20A
10 Guage - Max 30A
6 Guage - Max 50A

FrankO · 02-04-2005

Your water heater should have a label that states the amperage draw on it and how old it is. 30 amps is significant. If you don't know the issue have an electrician look at it.

02-04-2005

Copper will take on a dull slightly greenish color when weathered in a humid atmosphere similar to Playa. Clean it off to a shiny color (or if it's silver coated back to a silvery color). The taped connection concerns me because it may mean that someone just twisted the wires together when connecting the water heater instead of using a mechanical connection device like a wire nut (just twisting wires together and taping togetehr adds to the resistance of the connection). Is there anything else that turns off when the fuse blows? If there is anything else on the circuit with the water heater, the problem may occur when the water heater is turned on but it may not actually be causing the problem. A standard water heater is 4500 watts to 5500 watts which at 220V is 25 amps (if running at 250V then it's 22 amps) which is lower than the fuse rating unless something else on the circuit is adding to the current draw. As always treat the electricity with respect and turn the power off before working on the wiring or fuse holder. If all else fails, find an electrician to help with the troubleshooting and repair of the circuit. As a disclaimer, I am not licensed to practice engineering or work as an electrician in Mexico so be careful, practice safe working habits and turn stuff off before doing anything electrical.

Life_N_Cancun · 02-04-2005

The water heater is only a 120v 2200w unit, so there is no way it is drawing more than 30 amps. As for the guage of wires...the end I can see looks to be about 10. I think the issue might be rust or something on the side of the fuse holder I cant see. I am going to ask the landlord to just have someone replace the whole assembly. Thanks again everyone for all your help.

02-04-2005	#16 (permalink)
sctx my own peon Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Body in San Marcos Tx....Tankah in my mind Posts: 37,180	could it be the thermostat on the heater thats bad, just a thought, if I had enough money, I'd hire electricians to change my freakin light bulbs!

02-04-2005	#17 (permalink)
MikeW añejo Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moorpark, CA Posts: 13,089	It really sounds like your water heater is drawing more than 30A. If you oversize the fuse and the wire size and connections are not sized for over 30A, then fire. Try tightening the connections in the fuse box. Again be really freaking careful. Disclaimer: I am NOT an electrician. Don't kill yourself. Typical sizing in NEC, for copper THHN or THWN, and some other copper wire. 14 Guage - Max 15A 12 Guage - Max 20A 10 Guage - Max 30A 6 Guage - Max 50A

02-04-2005	#18 (permalink)
FrankO way into it Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ocean Beach, CA Posts: 163	Your water heater should have a label that states the amperage draw on it and how old it is. 30 amps is significant. If you don't know the issue have an electrician look at it.

02-04-2005	#19 (permalink)
Steamboat Guest Posts: n/a	Copper will take on a dull slightly greenish color when weathered in a humid atmosphere similar to Playa. Clean it off to a shiny color (or if it's silver coated back to a silvery color). The taped connection concerns me because it may mean that someone just twisted the wires together when connecting the water heater instead of using a mechanical connection device like a wire nut (just twisting wires together and taping togetehr adds to the resistance of the connection). Is there anything else that turns off when the fuse blows? If there is anything else on the circuit with the water heater, the problem may occur when the water heater is turned on but it may not actually be causing the problem. A standard water heater is 4500 watts to 5500 watts which at 220V is 25 amps (if running at 250V then it's 22 amps) which is lower than the fuse rating unless something else on the circuit is adding to the current draw. As always treat the electricity with respect and turn the power off before working on the wiring or fuse holder. If all else fails, find an electrician to help with the troubleshooting and repair of the circuit. As a disclaimer, I am not licensed to practice engineering or work as an electrician in Mexico so be careful, practice safe working habits and turn stuff off before doing anything electrical.

02-04-2005	#20 (permalink)
Life_N_Cancun life=playa Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Cancún, Mexico Posts: 535	The water heater is only a 120v 2200w unit, so there is no way it is drawing more than 30 amps. As for the guage of wires...the end I can see looks to be about 10. I think the issue might be rust or something on the side of the fuse holder I cant see. I am going to ask the landlord to just have someone replace the whole assembly. Thanks again everyone for all your help.

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