The white wire is the hot wire.
Water heater plug wiring.
The water heater only requires 2 hot 120 volt wires to heat water and function.
For long distances you may need to go with heavier wire.
If you are replacing an existing hot water heater then the circuit will already be present at the site.
Connect the other wire from the water heater to the white wire.
At this time the conventional hot water heater does not require a neutral however that will most likely change.
Take one of the wires on the water heater and connect it to the black wire from the circuit use a wire connector and wrap electrical tape around the wires.
There is no neutral wire in the water heater since it is 240v unit.
Before you examine or touch the water heater wiring or electrical connections turn off the power.
Test the voltage never mess with any electrical components without first checking to see if there is power running to.
Locating the electrical connections.
Therefore an extra conductor is not required.
On the top or the side of the hot water heater depending on the type you will see the junction box cover.
Step 6 replace check.
Most water heaters are wired with 10 2 w ground shielded cable.
The electrical wire connections for a water heater are made at a built in junction.
If the circuit wiring is supplied by a 4 wire cable and there is a spare white wire then simply cap off the white wire with a wire connector fastened onto the end of the wire.
Wiring an electric water heater does not require that you use a plug in device.
How to wire an electric water heater step 1.
Before you begin use.
Likely you will only need.
I believe the center wire on the 3 prong outlet is a neutral wire and i ve read that using neutral for chassis ground is never a good idea.
Wiring a hot water heater in 7 steps remove the junction box cover this is probably on the top or the side of the water heater.