Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark7
I am sure it is to provide low voltage switching of the water heater element.
Not a bad idea actually... I currently use the circuit breaker. Might have to consider this idea, but I would use a heavier contactor with a 12VDC coil.
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Yes, the concept is used in lots of applications but it doesn't really matter on the water heater; you use the 12vdc to pull the relay and the 120vac is going to arc/go into full operation mode no matter where the contacts are - in this case it's in the relay. Maybe that is why those relays fail and melt so much. I'd rather the switch melt where I can get to it without pulling the water heater out.