I don't trust my memory, 120v element or 240v

[EuBrew]

It's been a few years since I set up my system and I can't remember if the element I have in my HEX chamber is 120v or 240v.

I know it was originally 240 but it was too long and too close to the temp probe so I replaced it with a shorter one and haven't tested it yet.

If it is 120 volt and I have it wired 240 just like my 5500 watt elements will it pop the breaker or am I overthinking this. I just don't want a disaster on my hands or death!! I'm pretty sure it is 2000 watt and it's on a double pole 20A breaker. It looks exactly like the one below but I'm not home to take a pic of mine. The one in the pic says it's 120 v thus the reason for my question.

 

[Brumateur]

Do you have an Ohm-meter or multimeter? If so you can measure an element resistance.
For 240V 2000Watt it should be around 29 Ohm, for 120V 2000 Watt element it's around 7 Ohm.

 

[EuBrew]

Do you have an Ohm-meter or multimeter? If so you can measure an element resistance.
For 240V 2000Watt it should be around 29 Ohm, for 120V 2000 Watt element it's around 7 Ohm.

Good call Brumateur! I used the PVC coupling JB Weld method of enclosing the wiring so the terminals aren't accessible. Assuming I complete the test across both legs would 10 ft of 12 ga wire add any resistance? Typing before I think again, with that big of spread I doubt the wire could add that much but better safe then dead.

 

[ChuckO]

No, the wire won't add any significant resistance to your measurements.

If it added any significant resistance it would also become a heating appliance as well.

 

[evanmars]

If it is 2000W @ 120V, then if you supply it with 240V, you'll be trying to dump about 34.25 amps (8230W) through it! So, yeah, it'd probably pop the breaker (or the element)...

 

[EuBrew]

Even better, tested out at 22 Ohm so that makes it 2500 watt at 240 volt

Thanks Brumateur, you saved me some bucks!!