I have 2 Rheem 38 gal HW heaters installed in series. model PROE38 S2 RH95B.

The first line has a 83315B type 3r (not exactly sure what it does) about 5 ft from the HW heater before going to the electric panel and a 30amp breaker.
The second HW heater wiring goes directly to the electrical panel and a 2nd 30 amp breaker.

Both have about a 25ft run of 10-2 cable to my electric panel.



Do I need some other type of fuse/breaker/thermal switch or something else next to the Hot Water Heater(s)? or is the setup I have ok?

Thanks

If the water heaters are located indoors in a residential home I don't think you are required to have a separate elec disconnect box for them like you do on an outside a/c unit, which is a safety service disconnect for the guy working on the a/c unit.

I believe the 83315 box is a disconnect only, does not contain any fuses.







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That's probably a disconnect. Most jurisdictions require a disconnect near a WH or AC handler/compressor if it is not located where you have a direct line of sight to the panel. The idea being if you turned off the breakers at the panel to service it, someone else accidentally may turn the breakers back on without your knowledge. Having a disconnect eliminates that possibility.



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I will check to see if I need a disconnect. Other than that a direct cable run to the electric panel is ok? Do I I need any other circuitbreaker/thermal switch? The install instruction mentions having an "overcurrent protective device" (I don't not what that is unless they mean the circuit breaker in the electric panel)

The water heaters are connected to individual 30 amp circuit breakers in the elec panel, so that is the "overcurrent protective device" referred to.

That 83315 metal box is just an elec disconnect device, it is not an overcurrent device. The 83315 is used to disconnect the WH from the electricity when doing service work, you can think of it as an elec switch. You can raise the lid on the 83315 and look inside.

I don't know why WH #1 would have the 83315 disconnect and WH #2 does not. Maybe when the first WH was installed the installer thought it would be nice to have, a convenience. I don't think you will find it is required but will be good to check. Was WH #2 installed by a pro and was a permit pulled so that it was inspected? If so then you can trust it is ok like it is. Also, is this in a home or a business/commercial location? Sometimes the rules or best practice recommendations are different for each.



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An electrical disconnect is required here in NC if the electrical panel is not visible from the water heater. I usually add one during a water heater change out if there's not one.

It may vary from area to area. There isn't one in this Missouri house, water heater is in basement and the circuit breaker panel is on the main floor out of view. But things are pretty lax around here code-wise, until you get into KC and St Louis areas.

But odd that he'd have one on one WH and not the other, unless it is required but WH #2 was installed by DIYer. It wouldn't be hard to add a disconnect box to WH #2 if he needs it or wants it, they are available for less than $10.

[www.homedepot.com]



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At the very least,I would plainly ID / mark the one and only (or any new) disconnect panel to indicate which (and only) heater it services to avoid any possible confusion by anyone not familiar with the setup.

electric water heaters in my area do not need a separate disconnect the 30 amp with # 10 wire at the main is suffecient