Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.
If our community has helped you, please consider making a contribution to support this website. Thanks!

Thermostat wire

Options
I would rather have 1 conducter too-many, than 1 not-enough!

Comments

  • Dan_15
    Dan_15 Member Posts: 388
    Thermostat wire

    I am getting a new boiler installed in a week (System 2000), and I will be adding two zones to the two I already have. I wanted to run the thermostat wire to the boiler, and wondered how many wires I should be using (18-3, 18-4, etc...)?

    Thanks

    Rick
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 26,846
    IMHO

    There is no such thing as too many wires (well... yeah, there is). At least 18-4. You may not need them now, but... it's a lot easier to do it now than later.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • Dan_15
    Dan_15 Member Posts: 388
    Agreed...

    That's what I was thinking as well, since there is little difference in difficulty running an 18-5 as 18-3... Just wanted to get an idea of the minimum.

    Thanks for the quick responses!

    Rick
  • Mike L
    Mike L Member Posts: 30
    T-stat wire

    I agree with the other guys. All your going to use for heat is two of them, and if that is all I'm doing I run 18-3just so there is an extra,just in case there is a bad conducter or something. I don't usually run more than that unless there is talk of central air or something,maybe, down the road.
  • Ken Field
    Ken Field Member Posts: 123
    3 wires are useful

    Most of the new digital thermostats do not require batteries if the common wire is connected from the 24 volt power supply. I prefer that because somehow or other batteries always leak and ruin equipment. Use the third wire for the 24 volt common.

    Ken

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
This discussion has been closed.