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Started By
Message
In 50 amp 240v wiring, how many amps are going through each hot wire?
Posted on 12/13/19 at 6:57 am
Posted on 12/13/19 at 6:57 am
I'm basically trying to figure out what size terminal blocks I need Is the 50 amps total split 25 and 25 between the 2 hot wires?
9
Posted on 12/13/19 at 8:22 am to CarRamrod
What are you hooking up?
ETA: Just buy 50A lugs, Amps is a load measurement so everything needs to be sized to 50A(wire, lugs, etc.)
If you use a smaller lug or block and then plug in a 50A load you could burn them up with quickness.
The circuit can handle 50A, thats not necessarily what you will measure.
ETA: Just buy 50A lugs, Amps is a load measurement so everything needs to be sized to 50A(wire, lugs, etc.)
If you use a smaller lug or block and then plug in a 50A load you could burn them up with quickness.
The circuit can handle 50A, thats not necessarily what you will measure.
This post was edited on 12/13/19 at 8:31 am
Posted on 12/13/19 at 8:32 am to CarRamrod
IANAE, but I'm pretty sure the current flows hot to hot in 240v, so every amp that enters one wire leaves on the other, and nothing on the neutral.
Posted on 12/13/19 at 8:54 am to Korkstand
quote:
IANAE, but I'm pretty sure the current flows hot to hot in 240v, so every amp that enters one wire leaves on the other, and nothing on the neutral.
This
Posted on 12/13/19 at 9:31 am to kengel2
quote:
What are you hooking up?
ETA: Just buy 50A lugs, Amps is a load measurement so everything needs to be sized to 50A(wire, lugs, etc.)
If you use a smaller lug or block and then plug in a 50A load you could burn them up with quickness.
The circuit can handle 50A, thats not necessarily what you will measure.
I'm wiring up a controller that will run 2 heating elements.
here part of the wiring diagram i'm following. Im trying to size the terminal blocks on there.
Posted on 12/13/19 at 10:30 am to CarRamrod
As mentioned, you need 50A lugs. 240V is phase to phase, so each hot leg is carrying full current rating at 120V (180 deg out of phase from each other). This results in more power from the circuit (e.g. the same wattage equipment can be run on half the amperage).
If your equipment requires a 50A rated circuit, use 50A rated components.
If your equipment requires a 50A rated circuit, use 50A rated components.
Posted on 12/13/19 at 3:57 pm to LSUtigerME
quote:This is the correct answer.
If your equipment requires a 50A rated circuit, use 50A rated components.
Posted on 12/13/19 at 4:08 pm to CarRamrod
How many amps is how many amps what you are using is pulling.
Posted on 12/13/19 at 6:56 pm to CarRamrod
Also by the legend, it calls for 6 AWG on the primary wires, this would be an indication to expect 50A. If it was 25A+25A=50A, they would recommend 10AWG (30A max).
In this circuit (Single phase 240), expect 50A on each leg as current flows from each got wire to the neutral.
Size the terminal blocks for 50A and make sure they can accept terminals that will be 6AWG as well, unless you are just buying screw terminals (no lugs).
In this circuit (Single phase 240), expect 50A on each leg as current flows from each got wire to the neutral.
Size the terminal blocks for 50A and make sure they can accept terminals that will be 6AWG as well, unless you are just buying screw terminals (no lugs).
Posted on 12/13/19 at 10:33 pm to papasmurf1269
quote:
In 50 amp 240v wiring, how many amps are going through each hot wire?
How many amps is how many amps what you are using is pulling.
Exactly. Depends on the load. TWSSS
Posted on 12/15/19 at 9:39 pm to RemyLeBeau
Gotcha thanks. I first asked because the only 50 amp blocks I found were few and far between. But I'm seeing most pelt are using Din rail terminals which are much more readily available.
Posted on 12/16/19 at 5:35 pm to CarRamrod
Could I tie into a 240v circuit (like on a water heater) and pull a 120v standard outlet circuit off of it if I only attached it to one of the hot wires? 
I’ve got an old water heater closet in an area without any other outlets and would like to be able to plug in a low power device right in that area (like an Ethernet switch).
I’ve got an old water heater closet in an area without any other outlets and would like to be able to plug in a low power device right in that area (like an Ethernet switch).
Posted on 12/17/19 at 10:59 am to SlapahoeTribe
yes if you have the neutral wire. Look at that wiring diagram and you see how the nema 5-15 outlets pull off one of the hot wires and goes to the neutral and ground.
BTW i am not an EE or an electrician.
BTW i am not an EE or an electrician.
Posted on 12/17/19 at 6:05 pm to CarRamrod
If you don’t know the answer to this you shouldn’t be doing any kind of electrical work
Posted on 12/17/19 at 6:15 pm to CarRamrod
You have a 50A breaker so everything between the 50A and 30A breakers should be rated for 50A. Anything down stream of the 30A breakers should be rated for 30A. If not then with that setup that you have pictured would burn your house down
Posted on 12/18/19 at 8:50 am to CarRamrod
If it's just for the lugs on the distribution side then make sure it's 50 amp +. Meaning if you find 60amp/6awg distribution block it will work also. Volts are always the same, Amps vary by what is running off the circuit. Usually when a motor or appliance is running correctly it will pull the same amount of amps from the hot wires.
If I was building this, I would look for a distribution block maybe not quite as robust as this one Distribution Block But that should give you an idea. As long as the lugs handle 6awg for the line and 0-14 or even maybe a little less like 10-20awg, then you'll be fine on the load side.
I'd do the ground with just a simple ground strip like you see in every circuit breaker box.
If I was building this, I would look for a distribution block maybe not quite as robust as this one Distribution Block But that should give you an idea. As long as the lugs handle 6awg for the line and 0-14 or even maybe a little less like 10-20awg, then you'll be fine on the load side.
I'd do the ground with just a simple ground strip like you see in every circuit breaker box.
Posted on 12/18/19 at 10:46 pm to Miketheseventh
quote:oh shut the frick up.
If you don’t know the answer to this you shouldn’t be doing any kind of electrical work
Posted on 12/19/19 at 2:38 pm to CarRamrod
Best Buy has new 10 inch ipads for $249.99
oops. Wrong thread. Not sure how that happened, as I clicked on the chromebook thread.
oops. Wrong thread. Not sure how that happened, as I clicked on the chromebook thread.
This post was edited on 12/19/19 at 2:39 pm
Posted on 12/22/19 at 9:01 am to CarRamrod
What is your overcurrent protection device sized at? That is what your terminal blocks need to be rated for.
Posted on 12/22/19 at 11:14 am to CarRamrod
I opened this thread expecting to see OP was wiring up a 48 volt solar system with a LiFePho3 battery bank run in series.
All of the above still applies.
Good advice.
Funny how the wire gage rules work between various amperages, volts and watts.
All of the above still applies.
Good advice.
Funny how the wire gage rules work between various amperages, volts and watts.
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