Kyackr
New Member
I am going to wire an electric heater in the semi finished upper level/attic of my home. My panel (100 amp Cutler-Hammer) has an existing unused 40 amp breaker from a former electric range that was replaced with a gas range prior to my buying the house. The electric heater I plan to buy is a 5,000 watt, 240 volt unit rated 21 amps. I assume a 30 amp breaker with 10 gauge wire would be typical for this heater but wonder if I can use this existing 40 amp breaker and still have the safety aspect of the breaker function? I am assuming I may want to used 8 gauge wire for the heater if using a 40 amp breaker.. I know you can't use an undersized breaker but was not sure of problems with an over sized breaker? Thanks