De-powering water heater for winter

Apr 5, 2009
3,137
Catalina '88 C30 tr/bs Oak Harbor, WA
Thanks everyone. It's clear I need to install a proper breaker that switches off.
If you install a breaker that can be switched off, it will be best for the breaker if you are not connected to shorepower when you turn off the switch. If the element is heating when you open the breaker, it will have a current close to its rated current flowing through it that will cause arcing with will build up carbon deposits on the contacts which will cause the breaker to fail. The switch can also arc but their design is built to handle it better and they are far cheeper to replace.
 
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