Can i use a 4500 watt on a 208 volt system - Rheem 50 GAL ELEC TALL Water Heater 6YR SC 83VR522

On 240 volt system the currant draw is 23 amps And on 110 volt system the draw is 50 amps . If the wiring can handle the above load plus the safety margin it would be safe.

You are probably running on 240 volts at home anyway so it should be fine

Pressure inside tank builds up?
Follow same steps used for low pressure on following link
http://waterheatertimer.org/Low-hot-water-pressure.html

Pressure below 80 psi is fine
Gene

Water Heater Timers Save Money

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html
What is wattage rating of element?... printed on end of each element
If element is rated 3500 watt, then 15.6 is ok
4500 watt should be around 12.3
BUT you also have to test element for short to ground, as shown in link above

Gene

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Okayyyy...um, like uh, where does it leak from?? That info would be needed to suggest a fix.

Your residential water heater is not 9000 watts. Or it would blow the fuse every day and melt the wire. Instead, you have dual-element non-simultaneous 4500 watt water heater.
http://waterhatertimer.org/How-it-works.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/Figure-Volts-Amps-Watts-for-water-heater.html
Look at label for 'total connected watts'
http://waterheatertimer.org/images/Whirlpool-energy-smart-watt-rating-IMG_2600.jpg
25 amp breaker or fuse and 10 gauge wire is minimum acceptable for 4500 watt water heater.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Color-code-wire.html
Troubleshoot blowing breaker or fuse:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html#trip-breaker
Why does it blow fuse once each year?? I don't know.
Fuses and breakers trip when overheating occurs on wire.
Each fuse or breaker is rated for heat, and over time, it will get hot and then cool and then get hot again ... this action weakens fuse or breaker.
To solve problem: install 3500 watt elements (and clean sediment out of tank). Wire will run cooler, and fuse will last longer. Whole fuse box will demand less power, and run cooler, and will last longer as a result. So there is less stress on electric service panel.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-water-heater-element.html
3500 watt element will heat water to same temperature, but takes longer. For example: 4500 watt heats 21 gallons per hour, while 3500 watt heats 17 gallons per hour.

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

The Rheem water heater uses 4500 Watt elements
Check label on side of any appliance to see electrical rating details
2 element tank with two 4500 watt elements is still a 4500 watt appliance since both elements are never ON at same time.

Volts x amps = watts
amps = watts divided by volts

amps = 4500 divided by 240Volts or 220Volts
amps = 18.75
Your water heater uses 18.75 amps to 20.45 amps

Your 25 amp breaker should only carry 80% of rated value
25 amps x 80% = 20 amps.

So your water heater breaker is correctly sized.
You should have a 10 gauge wire going to this water heater.
12 gauge wire is a bit undersized for 4500 Watt water heater
Feel the water heater wire to see if it is warm.

If the main breaker is getting hot when 20 additional amps are being used by the water heater.
1) The house is using more amps than your 100 amp main can carry
Using the formula, 100 amps x 80% = 80 amps for the main breaker
Add up your total amp draw.
For example if your 3500 watt oven is ON, it draws 16 amps.
If your 5000 Watt electric heater is on, it draws 23 amps.
Your 1500 Watt 120V microwave draws 12.5 amps.
Add these numbers up plus your water heater, and it comes to 71 amps.
71 amps is getting close to the max 80 amp, but it's not over.
Now if you have a pool pump and and hot tub and a table saw going, the main breaker could be overdrawn.

2) To solve the problem short-term, you can put a timer on the water heater and use it only when needed.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Compare-13-electric-water-heater-timers.html

3) The main breaker is bad and needs to be replaced.

If you need help figuring circuits or timers, add a comment and I will help

The water heater has two 4500 watt elements.
However both elements are not turned-ON at same time
So the water heater is 4500 Watts

Volts x Amps = watts
Amps =watts divided by volts
Amps = 4500 Watts divided by 240 Volts
Amps= 18.75

So that says a 20 amp breaker ... except for the 80% rule
80% rules says for safety, your Amp rating should be multiplied by 80%

20 amp breaker X 80% = 16 amps
20 amp breaker is actually safe for just 16 amps, and your water heater draws 18.75 amps.

The calculation shows you need a 30 Amp breaker.
30 Amp breaker requires 10 gauge wire.

http://waterheatertimer.org/Figure-Volts-Amps-Watts-for-water-heater.html

220 volts usually 4500 watts. the wattage is written on the element

Hi Karen, think of the water heater as a straw....if the straw has liquid in it and you put your finger on the top, the liquid doesn't come out. If you open up the relief valve, air will allow it to flow freely. The relief valve has a metal lever on it, usually on the top of the water heater (if electric).