Wiring element in series/parallel help...

[cyberbackpacker]

My thinking is a little fuzzy right now, so I could really use some wiring advice. I have two 2500 watt 240v elements that I want to wire together to yield 5000w@ 240v. I want to do this for many reasons, but the biggest reason is because it best meets the needs for MY system and equipment I already own!

That said, firstly, I believe this should not be an issue for elements correct? And I do want to wire in series, not parallel to make this happen, correct?

My last question is how would I wire them together? Would I Line 1 power to Line 1 tab on Element 1. Run a wire from Line 2 tab on Element one to Line Tab 2 on Element 2, and then run a wire from Line 1 Tab on Element 2 to Line 2 from the feed. Both elements would be grounded individually. (See bad ms paint pic to see what I mean).

Is this all good. If not, advice on how to do what I want is appreciated.

TIA.

 

[howabouttheiris]

Sorry.. Think you want parallel. Both need to get 240V.

 

[rsklhm10]

I believe the way you have them wired the left element is getting 240v, whereas the right is only getting 120v. In simple terms, if your two hot wires are L1 and L2 (each 120v), than each element needs to receive each hot. Hopefully this makes sense.

 

[Airplanedoc]

^

Yep, Voltage drops in a series circuit. Remains the same in a parallel

 

[P-J]

Wrong, Wrong. Wired that way each element will only produce 1/4 of the rated wattage output of the elements.

2 - 2500W 240V elements in series will not get you there. For those 2 element and a desired output of 5000W they must be wired in parallel.

 

[howabouttheiris]

I believe the way you have them wired the left element is getting 240v, whereas the right is only getting 120v. In simple terms, if your two hot wires are L1 and L2 (each 120v), than each element needs to receive each hot. Hopefully this makes sense.

Sorry.... Since they are equal wattage, a safe assumption is that they are the same R, so they would both be at 120V. (don't let the color of wire fool you)

 

[cyberbackpacker]

D'oh, thanks guys! As I said I was thinking fuzzy... I had been doing tedious paper work, phone calls, data entry, enrollment type stuff at work and I needed a break and thought I would throw this out there.

Thanks for the correction.

So, here is how I should wire them up-- in parallel so each element is receiving 240v, and this way each will output there spec'd 2500w each.

Additionally, by doing it this way I will now be able to control both elements via one output using my BCS-460; i.e. for my boil I can set output to say 70% and both elements will be output at the desired 70%.

Thanks again.

 

[rsklhm10]

Sorry.... Since they are equal wattage, a safe assumption is that they are the same R, so they would both be at 120V. (don't let the color of wire fool you)

Ahh. On review of this you are correct. I let my eyes trick me. Thanks for pointing that out as my statement is indeed wrong.