Electric Baseboard Heaters

[Scot]

I was recently looking for one of these, and ran across some documentation that by most code, these types of heaters are supposed to be on their own circuit. Why would a 500-Watt / 120 Volt (rated at just over 3 Amps) electric baseboard heater need to be on its own circuit? Can anyone shed some light on this?

Thanks,

Scott

[Lawrence]

The code is designe to increase safety. It needs to be on it's own circuit because it is a large appliance. if that is the only one you have then you should be able to put it on a shared circuit. However, unless you have an intimate knowledge of all your circuits it will be better and easier to run a dedicated line. it is easier and simpler to run a new line that it is to make an inventory of all your circuits, safer too.