Anyone know baseboard heaters?

[Dottore]

We recently had an extra room built out by a friend. He installed a baseboard heater which worked for a week or so, and now has completely given up the ghost.

Am I right in thinking these things require special wiring and should be wired back to the breaker panel?

I have swapped out the thermostat, but this has not solved the problem.

Because of the very awkward location of the new room, I suspect my friend may just have run the wire to an existing plug.

I know very little about electrics, but would be interested to hear what is normal for wiring a baseboard heater. The room is about 12 x 14 feet.

[Dantilla]

The vast majority of baseboard heaters require 220v. Adding a bit of Romex from a nearby plug is not going to work. Adding a heater's load to a 15 amp circuit is a no-no.

[imcarthur]

As above, if it is a permanent baseboard heater it will be 220V. It certainly shouldn't have died after a week.

Using a votage tester - carefully - test to see if you have power to it.

Ian

[dhoward]

look at the breaker panel and see if anything's tripped first.

[DByers]

Many permanent baseboard heaters will come in 120v flavor, most under 1500watts will be available in 120v but at that size will require its own circuit. A 220v dedicated circuit is preferred, but like in your situation maybe not available. If the heater was small, say 500watt @ 120v then your amps would be just over 4 with a BTU of around 1700. Plenty of heat for a room that size though it may take a little time to warm up the room depending on insulation and where you live.

As suggested, check the breaker box (loadcenter) and be sure nothing has tripped. If he did cut into an existing circuit and you tripped a breaker other things or receptacles should not be functioning.

The heater thermostat could have gone bad, depending on the quality of the unit.

Alot of variables such as bad grounds, loose connections and neutrals could be suspect. If you are not comfortable with diagnosing the problem, hire an electrician or at least have your friend come back and explain how he installed the BB heater.

[Dottore]

Many thanks for these helpful replies.