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This is a sub-selection from A/C breaker issue

nunya
LXI 483
MVM
join:2000-12-23
O Fallon, MO

1 recommendation

nunya to Viper677

MVM

to Viper677

Re: A/C breaker issue

Your generalizations are incorrect. There are many condenser units in residential that use many sizes or breakers and wires.
Viper677
Certified Home Inspector
join:2012-03-22
Toronto

Viper677

Member

Click for full size
said by nunya:

Your generalizations are incorrect. There are many condenser units in residential that use many sizes or breakers and wires.

What exactly are you talking about?

nunya
LXI 483
MVM
join:2000-12-23
O Fallon, MO

nunya

MVM

Your little chart is wrong. It's too general. As I already said once, condenser unit sizes and requirements vary wildly.
Viper677
Certified Home Inspector
join:2012-03-22
Toronto

Viper677

Member

said by nunya:

Your little chart is wrong. It's too general. As I already said once, condenser unit sizes and requirements vary wildly.

No, my little chart is not wrong. Its correct for residential electrical system and I did not make that up, I copied it from a very reputable source for you.

Yes, it is for general use. I was under the impression that we are talking about central air unit. For central air units it does not matter if you a 1.5 ton unit or a 3 ton unit it needs to be on at least a 30 amp breaker.

What do you do for a living?

This discussion is almost over.

dosdoxies
Premium Member
join:2004-12-15
Wallingford, PA

dosdoxies

Premium Member

said by Viper677:

This discussion is almost over.

Not even close.

Jack_in_VA
Premium Member
join:2007-11-26
North, VA

Jack_in_VA to Viper677

Premium Member

to Viper677
said by Viper677:

asking nunya

What do you do for a living?

This discussion is almost over.

Not close to being over..
Viper677
Certified Home Inspector
join:2012-03-22
Toronto

Viper677

Member

said by Jack_in_VA:

said by Viper677:

asking nunya

What do you do for a living?

This discussion is almost over.

Not close to being over..

Let me be the judge of that

Jack_in_VA
Premium Member
join:2007-11-26
North, VA

Jack_in_VA

Premium Member

said by Viper677:

said by Jack_in_VA:

said by Viper677:

asking nunya

What do you do for a living?

This discussion is almost over.

Not close to being over..

Let me be the judge of that

I think that would be up to the OP.

»A/C breaker issue
Viper677
Certified Home Inspector
join:2012-03-22
Toronto

Viper677

Member

said by Jack_in_VA:

I think that would be up to the OP.

»A/C breaker issue

Oh, I meant to say the discussion between nunya and I is almost over.

nunya
LXI 483
MVM
join:2000-12-23
O Fallon, MO
·Charter

1 edit

1 recommendation

nunya to Viper677

MVM

to Viper677
I am a licensed master electrician. You are dead wrong, and so is your chart.
I sure as hell hope you aren't passing this misinformation along to your customers. You are doing a disservice by doing so.

The "rule of thumb" used to be 10A per ton. You could almost always count on a 1-1/2T unit being 15A, 2T=20A, 2-1/2T=25A, and so forth. So, your little chart (and "reputable" source) was wrong even back then.
These days, with high SEER units, all of that is out the window. There is no rule of thumb. I've seen plenty of high SEER 2-1/2 ton units where the MAX breaker size is 15A.

In the end, the manufacturer makes the determination on the minimum and maximum fuse and circuit size, not some inaccurate chart. It's stamped on the nameplate.

Saying every A/C condenser requires at least a 30A circuit is dead wrong. In many cases, a 30A breaker would expose the equipment to damage and void the warranty.
Viper677
Certified Home Inspector
join:2012-03-22
Toronto

Viper677

Member

said by nunya:

I am a licensed master electrician. You are dead wrong, and so is your chart.

I wrong - you wrong, I am this I am that. Very easy to say.

Your post is very vague when you said 'you little chart is wrong'. Explain what I said was wrong and how the chart is providing incorrect info.
Viper677

Viper677 to nunya

Member

to nunya
said by nunya:

I am a licensed master electrician. You are dead wrong, and so is your chart.
I sure as hell hope you aren't passing this misinformation along to your customers. You are doing a disservice by doing so.

The "rule of thumb" used to be 10A per ton. You could almost always count on a 1-1/2T unit being 15A, 2T=20A, 2-1/2T=25A, and so forth. So, your little chart (and "reputable" source) was wrong even back then.
These days, with high SEER units, all of that is out the window. There is no rule of thumb. I've seen plenty of high SEER 2-1/2 ton units where the MAX breaker size is 15A.

In the end, the manufacturer makes the determination on the minimum and maximum fuse and circuit size, not some inaccurate chart. It's stamped on the nameplate.

Saying every A/C condenser requires at least a 30A circuit is dead wrong. In many cases, a 30A breaker would expose the equipment to damage and void the warranty.

A 15A breaker for a 2.5 ton unit is definitely an undersized breaker situation. Jesus, you put your regular lightening, receptacles (approx. 12) on a 15 amp breaker not an entire air conditioning unit.

If i were you, i would stop going electrical work and maybe get into landscaping.

I have two options here. I either go back and forth with someone who is probably an apprentice (calling himself a master electrician) or is possibly certified by Google (God bless the internet) OR I go with my years and years of experience. I think I go with option 2.

Jack_in_VA
Premium Member
join:2007-11-26
North, VA

Jack_in_VA to nunya

Premium Member

to nunya
My new 3 ton, 16i system condenser unit calls for 35 amp max so there's a 30 amp for it and the indoor air handler fan. The 15 kW strip heater bank is on a 60 amp.

Always go by the nameplate requirements on HVAC equipment.

davidg
Good Bye My Friend
MVM
join:2002-06-15
00000

davidg to Viper677

MVM

to Viper677
said by Viper677:

A 15A breaker for a 2.5 ton unit is definitely an undersized breaker situation. Jesus, you put your regular lightening, receptacles (approx. 12) on a 15 amp breaker not an entire air conditioning unit.

If i were you, i would stop going electrical work and maybe get into landscaping.

I have two options here. I either go back and forth with someone who is probably an apprentice (calling himself a master electrician) or is possibly certified by Google (God bless the internet) OR I go with my years and years of experience. I think I go with option 2.

and this post is exactly why a home inspector is not supposed to cite code violations. that chart you linked earlier looks like one that comes off a portable generator sizing chart, which does give very general sizing info.

Nunya and Whizkid3, you guys just need to throw out those large bulky NEC code books since you only ever need a simple chart!

nunya
LXI 483
MVM
join:2000-12-23
O Fallon, MO
·Charter

nunya to Viper677

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to Viper677
Click for full size
Just a single example of thousands available. Now, stop spreading your disinformation.

alkizmo
join:2007-06-25
Pierrefonds, QC

1 edit

alkizmo to Viper677

Member

to Viper677
said by Viper677:

said by nunya:

These days, with high SEER units, all of that is out the window. There is no rule of thumb. I've seen plenty of high SEER 2-1/2 ton units where the MAX breaker size is 15A.

A 15A breaker for a 2.5 ton unit is definitely an undersized breaker situation. Jesus, you put your regular lightening, receptacles (approx. 12) on a 15 amp breaker not an entire air conditioning unit.

I'm going to use my 14 SEER 2.5 ton A/C as an example.

(Ton X 12000BTU) / (SEER) / 240V = Amps

2.5 ton X 12000 BTU / 14 / 240 = 8.92A

Add to that 8.92A more amps for the fan and other electrics inside and you get about 15A RLA, which is close to what's stamped on my A/C's plate.

Of course, it requires a 20A circuit because of the 80% load limit of a circuit for sustainable draw.

Now take a 2.5 ton 21 SEER unit and you're at 5.9A instead of 8.92A for 14 SEER. That's 3A less, which I can see how high SEER units can work on 15A circuits.
Viper677
Certified Home Inspector
join:2012-03-22
Toronto

Viper677 to davidg

Member

to davidg

that chart you linked earlier looks like one that comes off a portable generator sizing chart, which does give very general sizing info.

You are dead wrong.
brodgers
join:2006-03-20
Gillett, WI

brodgers

Member

How about you post who your "very reliable source" is then?
MaynardKrebs
We did it. We heaved Steve. Yipee.
Premium Member
join:2009-06-17

1 recommendation

MaynardKrebs to Viper677

Premium Member

to Viper677
said by Viper677:

said by Jack_in_VA:

I think that would be up to the OP.

»A/C breaker issue

Oh, I meant to say the discussion between nunya and I is almost over.

Let's see.....

Master electrician vs. home inspector.

I know that becoming a master electrician can't be done via a matchbook cover course, but I can't say the same about becoming a home inspector.
Viper677
Certified Home Inspector
join:2012-03-22
Toronto

Viper677 to nunya

Member

to nunya
said by nunya:

Just a single example of thousands available. Now, stop spreading your disinformation.

First of all you cant tell people what to do. Who made you in charge here? Second of all, you call yourself a master electrician and you have no work to do except for sitting on line all day long and trying to prove others wrong.

Me - however have places to go and people to meet today. You sit here, behind a computer and I have a couple of inspections to do for the day. Its $500 an inspection and debating with an online 'anonymous' is not worth my time.

MOPD
@mycingular.net

MOPD to Viper677

Anon

to Viper677
You probably shouldn't be giving advice or trying to discredit experts in their fields. Nonetheless, many here seem to think, as you do, that Google makes them experts in all things.

The manufacturers of A/C equipment have already calculated the minimum circuit ampacity and the maximum over current protective device for the equipment. I can guarantee you they didn't use your little chart.

garys_2k
Premium Member
join:2004-05-07
Farmington, MI

garys_2k to Viper677

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to Viper677
Well, I feel for your customers and only hope that your non-electrical advice is more fact-based than what you've shown here. That table you showed looks like the one hanging from the ceiling at Home Depot to show what's "needed" for different types of circuits -- a general guideline at best and quite often incorrect.

mix
join:2002-03-19
Romeo, MI

3 recommendations

mix to Viper677

Member

to Viper677
Viper, are you one of those Toronto area home inspectors I see Mike Holmes lose his hair over on HGTV?

Nick_L
Premium Member
join:2003-01-22
Pittsburgh, PA

Nick_L to Viper677

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to Viper677
said by Viper677:

A 15A breaker for a 2.5 ton unit is definitely an undersized breaker situation. Jesus, you put your regular lightening, receptacles (approx. 12) on a 15 amp breaker not an entire air conditioning unit.

Dude, for your own sake, stop digging while you can still see the top of the hole!

You're not only wrong, you are demonstrably wrong and the above quote proves it. What does lighting load (resistive) have to do with motor (capacitive) load?

Additionally, while no one is perfect nunya and whizkid are two of the most expert and respected posters here and give thoughtful, accurate and VERIFYABLY correct information time after time. Shhhh, you might learn something.

DannyZ
Gentoo Fanboy
Premium Member
join:2003-01-29
united state

DannyZ

Premium Member

said by Nick_L:

Additionally, while no one is perfect nunya and whizkid are two of the most expert and respected posters here and give thoughtful, accurate and VERIFYABLY correct information time after time. Shhhh, you might learn something.

But it's been sooooo entertaining watching Viper677 See Profile make a complete ass out of himself

dosdoxies
Premium Member
join:2004-12-15
Wallingford, PA

dosdoxies to mix

Premium Member

to mix
said by mix:

Viper, are you one of those Toronto area home inspectors I see Mike Holmes lose his hair over on HGTV?

I was just thinking the same thing.
TheMG
Premium Member
join:2007-09-04
Canada
MikroTik RB450G
Cisco DPC3008
Cisco SPA112

TheMG to Viper677

Premium Member

to Viper677
said by Viper677:

A 15A breaker for a 2.5 ton unit is definitely an undersized breaker situation. Jesus, you put your regular lightening, receptacles (approx. 12) on a 15 amp breaker not an entire air conditioning unit.

15A @ 120V is not the same as 15A @ 240V!!!

Let's see...

15A*120V= 1800VA (max 1440VA continuous)

15A*240V= 3600VA (max 2880VA continuous)

Not the same.

whizkid3
MVM
join:2002-02-21
Queens, NY

whizkid3 to Viper677

MVM

to Viper677
said by Viper677:

A 15A breaker for a 2.5 ton unit is definitely an undersized breaker situation.

Just saying this without mentioning the voltage at all, does not really demonstrate knowledgeability. Neither does picking a fight with nunya, who is one of the most knowledgeable electricians I know. He said your little chart is crap. I agree. At best, its good for the first attempt at educating a layperson who knows nothing about how the electrical system works in a home. That's about it.

Don't knock his credentials. I normally wouldn't either, but you deserve it for placing yourself above that of a Master Electrician. You inspect homes. BFD. Just about any schnook can walk around a house checking a few boxes and then provide a disclaimer that's longer than the report and a $400 bill for basically nothing. My advice would be to not become so impressed with your own credentials. On the grand scale of technical construction careers, home inspector is about one level above being a Burger King fry clerk.

---------------------------------------------------------
said by alkizmo:

I'm going to use my 14 SEER 2.5 ton A/C as an example.
(Ton X 12000BTU) / (SEER) / 240V = Amps
2.5 ton X 12000 BTU / 14 / 240 = 8.92A

Unfortunately, Alkizmo, as much as we like you around here; you don't know what you're doing either. You can't use the average seasonal energy usage to determine the amp rating of an air-conditioner. You can get the average power or amps required, averaged over a whole cooling season. SEER is very useful for determining how much energy you will use over a cooling season. Not very useful for sizing a circuit or breaker which must work under maximum load; although doubling what you get from your calculation could work out to be a good rule of thumb estimate. Stick with the manufacturer's ratings. Nunya showed the best way to get them - check the manufacturer's specs or nameplate.

alkizmo
join:2007-06-25
Pierrefonds, QC

alkizmo

Member

said by whizkid3:

Unfortunately, Alkizmo, as much as we like you around here;

YAY!
said by whizkid3:

although doubling what you get from your calculation could work out to be a good rule of thumb estimate. Stick with the manufacturer's ratings.

I'm only trying to show Viper that 15A on 2.5 tons SEEMS possible to meeeeeeee

Im actually surprised, I went to re-check my A/C plate when I got home from work and the running amp rating is 14.7

20A was actually the MAX circuit protection requirement!!! I thought it was the minimum! Another thing that is wrong in this house! (It's currently on 25A fuses).

whizkid3
MVM
join:2002-02-21
Queens, NY

whizkid3

MVM

said by alkizmo:

20A was actually the MAX circuit protection requirement!!! I thought it was the minimum! Another thing that is wrong in this house! (It's currently on 25A fuses).

Better double-check that. Sounds to me like the MCA (minimum circuit amps) would be about 18 to 20A; and the MOCP (maximum overcurrent protection) would be 25 or 30A. 14.7A FLA (or RLA) may be just for the compressor. Figure 1 amp for the fan (if it has a separate motor); and 0.25 A for the controls, and you get approximately:

14.7A x 125% + 1A +0.25A = 20A = MCA (minimum circuit amps)