The device is therefore NOT sized to protect the wire against overloads. It is an old GE window model. Subscribe for weekly inspiration. What’s unusual about this number on air conditioner data plates is that it often doesn’t jive with the chart I listed above. Favourite answer. A 5 ton air conditioner will need a two pole 40 amp circuit breaker to supply 240 volts over a cable of #8 copper wires. The breaker or fuse ahead of the air conditioner only protects against short circuits and ground faults. last updated – posted 2016-Jul-11, 4:21 pm AEST posted 2016-Jul-11, 4:21 pm AEST User #318206 460 posts. The voltage range for this wire falls between 0 volts and 2,000 volts. Relevance. This is the way I figure it when the nameplate rating is unknown... 1-ton equals 12,000 BTU's = 10 amps. If possible, ask your spark to run a new circuit from your switchboard. posted 2016-Jul-4, 11:43 pm AEST ref: whrl.pl/ReE1JR. COVID-19 Update: To see what we're doing to help keep everyone safe, please see COVID-19 and Home Inspections. It then says that the max breaker is 45 amps. That breaker would normally be too large for 12 gauge wire, it's only allowed in a case like this where the A/C unit is rated as such. Arc quenching is much faster; The duration of the arc is same for all values of current. The 30 amp circuit requires #10 AWG wire or 10/2 cable that will be protected by a 30 amp circuit breaker. As for the disconnect. Notice that the MCA is 28.6 amps and the maximum fuse or circuit breaker is 50 amps. The electrical characteristics for my LG ductless mini split are as follows: MOP 35 amps MCA 23 amps Cooling rated amps 17.55 Heating rated amps 17.55 Compressor 17.3 amps Fan 0.25 amps Circuit breaker for air conditioner. Bummer. The final cable size will depend on the derating factors applied for the installation. [Solution] If Circuit Breaker (MCB Trip) activates during operations, please check the followings. This is a 2-ton air conditioner, as you can see from the model number. Water heater circuit breaker size. mlionel20. If the air conditioner is not on a dedicated circuit breaker, the unit may power on but not run. subject to … If it is a unit for the North American market the condensing unit will have a data plate or sticker that will have this info. I recently purchased a ductless mini split and am trying figure out the correct breaker and wire size. The maximum size will be clearly labeled on the compressor label. In the example below, it’s 60 amps. Actual current rating of circuit will depend on the method of installation,eg, unenclosed in air, or enclosed in conduit over 50% of its route length. Well, an air conditioner usually trips the breaker because it's pulling in more amps than the breaker is rated for.That is, if you have a 20-amp breaker and the AC pulls 30 amps, the breaker trips. To determine the right circuit breaker size for an air conditioner, we look at both the minimum and maximum size allowable. Circuit Breaker Size To determine the right circuit breaker size for an air conditioner, we look at both the minimum and maximum size allowable. Kevin, the issue is not what size circuit breaker you should install, the issue is to make sure that the installed circuit will be exactly what the air conditioning unit is specifying which in this case is a 30 amp 230 volt circuit. Air blast circuit breaker is small in size, because of the growth of dielectric strength is so rapid (which final contact gap needed for arc extinction is very small). Types of Air Conditioners and Their Electricity Requirements Mini Split Air Conditioner Electricity Requirements. Speed of circuit breaker is much higher during operation of the air blast. 2.5kW air-conditioner will draw somewhere around 0.6 - 0.7 kW of electricity. Check whether the 16 Amp good Quality Top plug is used or not. These rating are adequate for runs of up to appx 60 ft Hi all, Building a new home and the air con … It depends how far over the rating is, but the basic idea is the breaker (and the wiring it protects) can handle the inrush current from the air conditioner compressor coming on. The vast majority of mini splits require 208/240 volts. The 40 amp breaker would only be slightly less than 3x rule. We are installing a 240 volt, 18000 btu air conditioner. Reset it once and only once, and see if your unit runs normally. The Circuit Breaker Size for a 230 Volt Air Conditioner Kevin, according to the specs for the air conditioner the circuit that should be installed would be a 30 amp 230 volt circuit … What size circuit breakers and wire size do I need for the following air conditioner 5 tonn condesor unit with following data plate information... volts 208 - 230, volts range 197 - 253, max circuit breaker 50 amp. So yes, it can be simply plugged in if you wish. The air conditioner must be on a dedicated circuit breaker not shared with other outlets. Well, trust me. Disconnect Size. Here are some common reasons you can take into consideration. Included in this cable will be a #12 bare ground wire. Currently I have a 220v, 30 amp breaker with 10 AWG Romex. Use 10 awg for 30 amp unit or 6 awg for 60 amp unit. The biggest problem with an underrated RCD breaker is that it can be a periodic issue, i.e. So you've determined that your AC is tripping the breaker, but you're clueless as to why. The protective device must protect against short circuit, overload, and earth fault conditions. I only have a 20 Amp circuit breaker and it works well with the cooling of the air conditioner. Step 2. I always thought you choose the wire size by the mca of the unit and then use the max breaker size. 8 Answers. The breaker and wire size will largely depends on the power consumption (W) of the air-conditioner. Breaker size should be what is recommended in the AC manual. 7 years ago. Cable size should be as per the Australian Standards (AS 3000 and AS 3008). Let's say I have an air conditioner with a minimum circuit ampacity of 28.2 amps. posted 2016-Jul-4, 11:43 pm AEST O.P. That said, for aesthetic reasons I'd hard wire it certainly. Take a look at the Lennox air conditioning condensing unit tag on Page 19. 4 How Does 2-Pole Circuit Breaker Work? David, discusses replacing a breaker, wire size #6 copper: 10kw heat strip, 60 amp breaker. In your case, the circuit breaker should be a 20 ampere HACR breaker. CaptDan In electronics terms a circuit breaker is a relatively slow device. However when using the heater the demand for more electric power trips the circuit breaker and shuts off. Using the wire amp rating to gauge calculator, the recommended wire gauge is 10 AWG. By the time the breaker is in danger of tripping the current draw has dropped down below 15 amps. Size of Wire & Circuit Breaker for Electric Stove 3 How Many Watts Does a 5,000-BTU Air Conditioner Use? A 4 and 5 ton air-conditioner will likely need a circuit breaker rated 45-50 A connected with 8-10 AWG wire when supplied with 197 – 253 volts.. Water heater wire size. If I decide to just use the air conditioner and not the heater, is a 20 Amp circuit breaker sufficient to power the air conditioner. Archive View Return to standard view. Overload protection is built into the compressor itself. 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